By: Emme Rose Santiagudo
IN A HALL full of business and political leaders in the national local scenes, Team Uswag of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and lone district Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda vowed to bring the city new heights.
The vaunted political team of Treñas and Baronda reiterated their campaign promises when they took their oath of office on June 28, 2019 at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).
Treñas said he will navigate his “WHEELS” roadmap for inclusive development once he assumes office on July 1, 2019
“Today, I am once again presenting another roadmap that will make this premier city even better and turn it into something that we all envision it to become. Let us translate our potentials into greater heights of excellence. It is about time to use our potentials in bringing Iloilo City to the next level,” he said.
Under the “WHEELS” (Welfare, Health and Sanitation, Education, Environmental Management, Livelihood and Sustainability) roadmap, Treñas hopes to maximize the potentials of Iloilo City and ensure that it becomes one of the three most liveable and highly urbanized cities in the country by 2028.
In the middle of his speech, Treñas got emotional as he thanked his family and friends in their unwavering support in what we he described as the “worst political campaign” he encountered.
“I would like to thank my family and friends for your unwavering support. Among the ten political campaigns, this was the worst political campaign I encountered. To my loving children, who were hands on during the campaign period. Thank you for never leaving my side despite the gruelling and sometimes vicious situation. To my wife who always keeps me inspired, Mrs. Rosalie Treñas, you are my true gem, my honest critic, and my source of strength,” he said.
Treñas got 134,143 votes to defeat his brother-in-law, Jose Espinosa III.
“It is the same trust that fuels me to do my best and start realizing what I envisioned. I am no longer the mayor only of those who have voted for me but also the mayor of those who did not vote for me. I find it very challenging given the viciousness of this campaign. However, I promise that I will continuously strive hard to be everyone’s mayor,” he said.
FIRST LADY REPRESENTATIVE
In her inaugural speech, Baronda laid down her plans such as pushing for a law that will declare Iloilo City as a Special Economic Zone and Freeport and increasing the hospital bed capacity of Western Visayas Medical Center to 700 beds.
She added that she will work on amending the Senior Citizens Act to include a provision to put up a Senior Citizens Center which will offer day-care therapy sessions, expert geriatric care, and hospice and palliative care to abandoned and neglected elderly.
She also vowed to work hard on a law that will create the Iloilo City People’s Hospital.
“My office here in the city and in Batasan will be open to all of you. Please do not hesitate to see me or my staff should you need my help. Just like all this time, Jam-Jam Baronda is accessible 24/7. You were there for me, and I will be there for you. I have done these many times before and I won’t get tired of doing this over and over again,” she said.
Treñas and Baronda took their oath of office before Ilonggo Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza.
Other Team Uswag members are Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and Councilors Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Jay Treñas, Ely Estante Jr. and Jojo Javellana, Rommel Duron, Allan Zaldivar and Rudolf Ganzon.
Councilors Lyndon Acap and Eduardo Peñaredondo, who were identified with Espinosa’, joined the Team Uswag’s inauguration.
