ILOILO – “Leadership with sincere concern, compassion and service from the heart.”
This has been Mayor Rema Somo’s brand of leadership since she assumed as mayor of Santa Barbara town in 2019.
In just over 24 months in the service of Santa Barbaranhons, first-termer Somo brought programs and projects with positive impact on her constituents as well as prosperity to her town.
What can really tell are the awards and recognitions garnered by Santa Barbara under the Somo administration.
Santa Barbara clinched the top spot in government efficiency in Region 6 (first and second class municipal category) during the 4th Recognition Ceremony of Competitive local government units (LGUs) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6.
The award was based on the competitiveness index of municipalities and cities in the areas of economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.
“Naga-reflect lang ini kon ano ang imo pagdumalahan,” said Somo.
“Ginapasalamatan ko ini sa mahal nga Dios. Ginagiyahan nya ako kon paano ang pagserbisyo sang husto nga may pag-ulikid, pagkabalaka kag pagpalangga sa mga pumoluyo,” she added.
Despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Somo managed to focus on successful COVID-19 response under SOMO-CARES (Crisis Action and Response on Emergency Situation) program, infrastructure and social services.
Santa Barbara was also hailed as the Best in National Skills Registry Program-PESO Employment Information System (NSRP-PEIS) in Region 6 by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
A national distinction put the historic town on the map when Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) featured its productive anti-illegal drug drive on Aug. 10 this year.
It was also under Somo’s leadership when PDEA declared Santa Barbara a “drug-cleared municipality”.
Having Santa Barbara’s 60 barangays cleared of illega drugs did not come easy, according to Somo, but “ang determinasyon, political will, kaisog, kag balatyagon para sa mga tawo ang nangin dalan naton para mangin madinalag-on.”
Somo commended the rigorous efforts of the Santa Barbara municipal police station headed by Police Major Raymond Celoso, Municipal Anti-Drug Council (MADAC) focal person, Serena Dioso and their hardworking counterparts in the barangays.
Santa Barbara was also honored by the Iloilo provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. “for having obtained the 4th highest realty tax collection efficiency in Category A in the whole province.”
Apart from the awards and recognitions, Somo also has many infrastructure projects in 60 barangays. These include barangay road improvement and concreting projects.
Here are just a few of the infrastructure projects and barangays road concreting projects undertaken by the mayor from January to December 2020:
* concreting of barangay roads, particular in barangays Manhayang to Buayahon; San Sebastian to Sitio Tabuyog; Sangcate; Cadagmayan; Canipayan; Zone II; Barasan; Tuburan to Conaynay; Tugas to Bantay; Tagsing to Malawog; Camambugan; Tugas; Nasugban; Balibagan Oesta; San Sebastian; Bantay; Malawog; Zone VI; Cadagmayan Norte; Cabugao Sur; Calaboa; Tungay to Tugas; Agusipan; Binangkilan; Bolong Este; and Tagsing.
* concreting of frontage of motorpool
* construction of slope protection wall
* banking and connection of transformer for the material recovery facility (MRF)
* repair of Commission on Elections (Comelec) and post office building
* construction of uniformed type apartment niche
* installation of firefighting equipment and sprinkler system
* construction of foot operated hand washing sink
* repair/rehabilitation of various barangay roads
* installation of long span roof
* construction of Santa Barbara Transport Hub
* farm-to-market road worth P10 million funded by Department of Budget and Management
* provided complete farm machineries to Santa Barbara farmers
* provided wheelchairs to persons with disabilities
* provided sewing machines to neglected women or abused women
* cash for work program to more than 3,000 residents in partnership with DOLE
* Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to drivers
* purchased a new backhoe
* allotted P15 million for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines
* built teen centers in all secondary schools
Improving the barangay roads has been one of Somo’s priorities.
“Nakita ko ang obra sang previous administration. Makitid ang mga dalan nga ginpa-semento kag kanipis sang semento kay naga-guluwa ang bato. Sang ako ang nagpungko, ginsiguro ko nga husto ang amon nga project. Wala sang substandard. Ginpadugangan ko sang 15 centimeters kag dapat madamol,” added Somo.
Somo also stood on the frontlines at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Somo administration realized a clean and high-quality municipal quarantine facility, conducted massive contact tracing for early containment of infection, and extended food assistance to families affected by localized and surgical lockdowns.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) also praised Somo’s initiative to install a hand washing area, and enforce a “one entrance and one exit” policy in the public market.
The Office of Civil Defense in Region 6 also commended the initiative.
It was also under her leadership when vaccination to the barangays was carried out in partnership with PHO.
With the barangay-based vaccination, residents, especially senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, no longer have to go to the town’s covered gym.
Santa Barbara is one of the LGUs in the province with the highest vaccination accomplishment.
“Kita ang No. 2 nga may pinakaduro nga mga tawo nga nabakunahan,” Somo added.
As of Oct. 18, more than 28,000 Santa Barbaranhons have been vaccinated, based on PHO records.
Somo also sought a high-end ambulance unit for the Rural Health Unit (RHU) from the Department of Health through AAMBIS-OWA party-list’s Rep. Sharon Garin.
The local government also purchased a rescue vehicle and patient transport vehicle that are now being used by the RHU.
Somo also plans to purchase additional patient transport vehicle for the RHU.
The lady mayor also continues to provide free medicines such as for high blood pressure, diabetes and other common health conditions to the indigents.
Apart from that, the municipal government is also scheduled to distribute nebulizers, oximeter, sphygmomanometer, and medicines in 60 barangays.
Somo is also not remiss of the education sector amid the pandemic. She provided printing materials, hand washing facilities, risographs and photocopiers for schools to use in the distance learning and radio-based instruction.
MORE GOALS
If she is given the opportunity to continue serving, Somo said she will have more projects to bring to the people.
Somo will run for a second term in the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections.
Just a few of the desired programs and projects she would like to implement if reelected are as follows:
* allocation of P52 million for developmental projects
* concreting of all roads around Santa Barbara
* light up the Poblacion area and improve street lights, covered gyms and barangay halls
* make Santa Barbara a first class municipality or even a city
* improve LGU services
* construction of a new building for the fire station
* setting up internet connection in 60 barangays
* expansion of municipal hall
* installation of covered gyms in 60 barangays (on-going)
* expanding the public market to the second floor
* construction of motorpool
* construction of a quarantine facility
* expansion of Senior Citizen building (on-going)
* repair of drainage systems in the Poblacion area
* beautification program for Poblacion
* road widening in Poblacion
* purchase of two dump trucks
Somo, along with his vice mayoral candidate incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Sumbilla, are running under the Nacionalista Party.
Here are Somo’s six councilorables: incumbent Sangguniang Bayan members Tim Padilla, Christine Marie Delgado Robles, Rowena Sumagaysay-Silvederio, and Ramon “Monsik” Sullano; and former SB members Atty. Juan Senupe and Jeow Lucer.
ISSUES
Somo, on the other hand, responded to some of the issues supposedly raised by her political opponent, former mayor Dennis Superficial.
Among these was the allegation that the enrollment of residents with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has been neglected.
According to Somo, since she took office in June 2019, one of her administration’s priorities has been the health of the people.
However, according to Somo, the Universal Health Care Act has already been passed into law which ensures that everyone automatically becomes a member of PhilHealth.
“Isa ina sa gin-raise naton sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). Ang siling sa akon wala na nagabaton ang PhilHealth sang enrollment,” she said.
Meanwhile, the LGU’s plan to buy a lot for a slaughterhouse was also questioned as the previous administration already procured one.
Somo explained she did not proceed with the construction of the slaughterhouse on the lot purchased by the former mayor in Barangay Pungsod because according to the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), the LGU has to spend another P48 million just for land development.
“According to NMIS nga feasible man ang lote but ma-spend pa ang LGU sang P48 million para i-develop. Amo ‘na nga nagpangita kami sang lote kay indi ‘to puede ang ginbakal sang previous administration considering nga kon tampukon kay kadalom-dalom magagasto pa kami sang P48 million,” Somo explained.
This is the reason why the LGU is now looking for an ideal location near the existing slaughterhouse (near public market) without having to spend a lot, according to Somo.
Somo also explained that only the lot would be the LGU’s counterpart in the proposed slaughterhouse after they applied to the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to fund the project.
Somo also allegedly put the street sweeper truck purchased by the former mayor at the public cemetery instead of using it on the main roads.
Somo said the former mayor was “very aware” that the purchased equipment was “ineffective”.
“Kon palibuton mo ang inang gina-silhig instead nga hakupon ‘ya ang basura, nagalupad ang yab-ok kag papel,” said Somo.
On the issue of “non-prioritizing” the eco-adventure park in Barangay Duyan-Duyan, “naglisensya ang DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) nga hulamon ang lugar para butangan sang gamit kag ila pahuwayan sang mga naga-olobra,”said Somo.
“Paano ko ipadayun (development) kay indi man mapuslan considering GCQ (under the general community quarantine) kita. Sayang ang kwarta,” Somo added.
On the issue that she did not create a transition team in 2019, Somo explained that the Local Government Code states that the incumbent mayor (it was Superficial then) is responsible for creating it. However, the former mayor did not create his team, said Somo.
Instead, said Somo, it was her who created a transition team so she could start serving as mayor.
Somo also brushed aside allegations she could not decide on her own.
“A good leader should also be a good listener, indi puede nga piyungon mo ang mata kag magdesisyon sang imo lang,” Somo said.
“Ang akon liderato indi poderoso, indi diktador, kundi nagapamati, may pag-ulikid, may pagkabalaka kag may pagpalangga. Kon para sa kaaraydan sang mga pumoluyo kag aton banwa, go gid akon sina,” Somo added.
The incumbent mayor is confident that Santa Barbaranhons are wise to see – and choose – a leader who is pro-people, sincere and true to the service./PN
