HEAVY RAINS FAIL TO DAMPEN INAUGURATION EUPHORIA

The previous days’ and nights’ heavy rains failed to stop the festive feelings surrounding the oath-taking ceremony of Mayor-elect Joselito F. Piñol and Vice-Mayor-elect Bernie F. Abasques the morning of June 25, 2007 at the stage of the New Consolacion Elem. School, 12 kilometers from the heart of this municipality.

The Nueva Vida Choir played Praise and Worships Songs while waiting for the arrival of participants and guests. Invocation was led by the SBC Choir. Barangay Chairperson Rodrigo D. Aligarbes, Jr. welcomed the guests and administered the oath of vice mayor-elect Bernie F. Abasques and all the councilors-elect. In his welcome address, he took the opportunity to bring the plight of the New Consolacion people to the attention of the provincial and municipal officials in the hope of eliciting their future assistance. Judge Arvin Sadiri B. Balagot, Presiding Judge of the Mlang-Matalam Municipal Trial Court, administered the oath of office of municipal mayor-elect Joselito F. Piñol.

The 8 councilors-elect, in the order by which they had been selected by the Mlang electorate – Hons. Joselito G. Mercado, Russel M. Abonado, Alberta P. Tejada, Janirey E. Paracha, Regerick L. Benito, Freddie M. Sales, Hayde D. Javier, and Ivy Martia Lei D. Ballitoc - were allowed 5 minutes each to give their inaugural speeches. These were followed by the speeches of vice mayor-elect Bernie F. Abasques and mayor-elect Joselito F. Pinol. Vice Gov. Manny Piñol, Gov. Susing Sacdalan and Cong. Jun Piñol also gave their inspirational messages. The Mlang Ministerial Fellowship led the dedicatory prayers; the final part was the flying of hot air balloons by Mr. Abe F. Gigare.

Mayor-elect Lito Piñol reiterated the programs they presented to the electorate during the campaign period. He said that “I’M HEALTHY” will always be the mainstay of his administration. For his part, vice mayor-elect Bernie F. Abasques is very optimistic that his partnership with the mayor would be to the best interest of the people of Mlang, citing instances where quarrels between the past chief executive and his deputy had always done counterproductive results to the people they have vowed to serve.

June 25, 2007 is significant in that it was the 13^th wedding anniversary of the mayor-elect and his wife as well as the 54^th birthday of the vice mayor-elect. Incidentally, VM Abasques’ mother, Emerenciana Fabila Abasques, joined her creator at noontime of Sunday - June 24, 2007.

The oath-taking program was emceed by Mr. Alvin Lynn P. Bergante, Executive Vice-President of the Southern Baptist College; and Mrs. Marietta P. Alingasa, Master Teacher at the Lika Central Elementary School. The principal of New Consolacion Elementary School is Mrs. Mae A. Bosabica.