ANTIQUE – Atty. Abdiel Dan Elijah “Ade” Fajardo, former National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), has bared his priorities as he seeks a seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) representing the South District of Antique in the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.
Fajardo, who aims to improve the lives of the residents of Antique, has identified three major concerns that he intends to address: completing the cementing of the province’s road network especially in remote areas, making potable water accessible to rural households, and expanding the runway of the Antique airport to attract commercial airlines and boost the province’s tourism sector.
“Makita mo nga kon sa mga remote barangay medyo kulang sa access hay duro pa ang dalan nga la-o lang, may dalan nga motorsiklo lang gid ang makasaka. May mga pitak-pitak ang mga dalan, semento isa ka kilometro tapos ma-untat, tapos may gap nga 500 meters, tapos ma-umpisa liwat. Amo gid ran ang una naton nakita nga medyo wara pa gid natapos nga mga proyekto nga siguro puede naton padayunon kon matugroan kita ka kahigayunan nga magserbisyo sa aton mga pumoluyo,” Fajardo said in an interview with Inside Antique on Sunday morning, March 9.
He said the completion of the concreting of road network, particularly in mountainous areas, would give residents better access to transportation.
Access to potable water is also vital, especially among households in hilly areas who lack safely managed or drinking water, Fajardo said.
He added that infrastructure development plays an important role in uplifting the people’s lives. The expansion of the runway of Antique airport, Fajardo said, would attract commercial airlines to operate in the province and thus improve the tourism sector.
However, Fajardo said better roads and easy water access were not readily provided by the provincial government to residents due to lack of funds.
Several mayors and barangay officials had approached the provincial government to ask for budget on these but due to limited budget, the provincial government had to prioritize the most important projects.
This is why Fajardo backs the proposal to divide the province into two congressional districts so that two lawmakers would represent Antique to Congress to seek a bigger budget for the province.
“Ti, daw nagtunog man to ang panawagan nga kadya ginasakdag sang aton governor… the call for redistricting of Antique into two congressional districts. Sa bilog nga Panay kita na lang ang nabilin nga lone district. Mas mabahul ang population naton sang sa population sang Aklan,” he added.
The runway expansion of the Antique airport, meanwhile, would create more jobs, thus Antiqueños need not to go to Negros Occidental anymore to work as sacadas.
“Sangka simple lang nga solution nga palawigon dya ang runway sang Antique airport nga nakita naton nga bisan ano kanami sang terminal mo kon wara ti naga-landing, wara ti pasahero. Daad amo dya ang aton priority kon makapungko kita sa SP, sara nga buligan naton ang governor, kon sin-o man dia, nga matatapan dia kag maasikaso ang proyekto,” he said.
The airport upgrade, Fajardo added, is also favorable to locals and tourists who will not need to go through Iloilo airport or Caticlan airport.
He also stressed the advantages of having a lawyer in the SP, noting that his background in law would greatly contribute to the legislative work of the body, especially in crafting ordinances and ensuring a balance between the executive and legislative branches.
If given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Antique, Fajardo plans to push for the reconvening of the legislative-executive council to facilitate discussions on provincial programs, projects, and plans, thereby making it easier to pass ordinances and avoid unnecessary delays and questions during regular sessions.
Fajardo, a native of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, was born at the Antique Provincial Hospital, now known as Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital. He attended Bagumbayan Primary School, then moved to Delegate Angel Salazar Jr. Memorial School for elementary education, and later graduated from Antique National School for secondary education. He pursued a law degree at the University of the Philippines as a scholar.
Fajardo is running for a position as a Provincial Board Member for the South District of Antique under the Cadiao-Tan-Reyes (CTR) tandem, aligned with “Partido Tumandok”./PN