ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. assured Ilonggos he won’t be an influence-peddler or meddler in the incoming administration of his son, Governor-elect Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. “When I said I am done, I am done,” he told journalists covering the provincial capitol.
The elder Defensor, 77, is set to officially end his administration this June 30 after three successive terms of three years each, for a total of nine years. He was the governor, too, from 1992 until 2000.
“I am both happy and sad,” he said when asked about his impending retirement from government service.
The exiting governor expressed confidence that his good programs and projects would be sustained by the new governor.
But he stressed, “Indi ako mag-intibenar sang obra sang gobernador.”
Defensor said he would rather look after his small farm in the municipality of Mina when asked what he would do upon retirement.
In a previous interview, Defensor mentioned some of his administration’s initiatives he hoped would be continued by his successor such as the Iskolar sang Iloilo Program (ISIP).
ISIP gives opportunity to poor but deserving youths in the province to proceed to college. Scholars receive P3,500 monthly stipend, P2,000 book allowance per semester and P1,000 uniform allowance per school year, for a total of P41,000 college financial assistance per school year.
Defensor also cited the program protecting and conserving the resources of the Visayan Sea in northern Iloilo, and the HFEP or Hospital Facility Enhancement Program that aims to improve healthcare services in provincial government-run district hospitals.
The governor is also proud of the Action for Re-greening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation program that reforests the province by annually planting tree seedlings by the thousands. This also includes mangrove reforestation of coastal areas.
MIXED EMOTIONS
Defensor said he is both happy and sad; happy in the sense that he will be relieved of the duties and responsibilities of a local chief executive.
“I have sacrificed for 18 years (as governor). You have seen how hard the work was. Bisan sa pilermahan pa lang daw ma-surrender ka,” he said.
From 2001 to 20010 Defensor served as congressman representing Iloilo’s 3rd District in the Lower House.
“Happy of the thought that I have served my people. I was given the opportunity to serve them well. I have shown an example that you can run this government in a very transparent and accountable manner,” he said.
Defensor said Ilonggos gave him the chance to give his best shot in running the provincial government. His consolation as a public servant was the thought that he believed his work, especially his legacy projects and brand of governance, was appreciated by the Ilonggos.
All department heads have been directed to finish what has to be finished before he left. Those projects that cannot be finished by then will be taken care of by the new administration.
As to his critics, the governor doesn’t give a damn.
“When you are in government, you cannot please everyone,” he said.
As to the people who have faith and trust in him, Defensor said that he will miss them dearly.
His son, Governor-elect Arthur Defensor Jr. will assume the post effective July 1 after his oath of office before Ilonggo Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza on June 28 at Iloilo provincial capitol. (With a report from Jezza A. Nepomoceno, Iloilo Capitol/PN)
