Ona heads LMP-Batangas

Calaca Mayor Sofronio “Nas” Ona, Jr. (center, standing) with

some of Batangas’ municipal mayors after he won unopposed

 the presidency of the League of Municipalities of the

Philippines (LMP) – Batangas Province Chapter in elections

held last July 29, 2010 at the LMP Bldg, Capitol Site,

Batangas City. (Photo by OPG-PIO)

Batangas City—The army worms that ate up a big chunk of Calaca town’s agriculture sector didn’t stop third termer Calaca Mayor Sofronio “Nash” Ona, Jr. from winning unopposed the presidency of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Batangas Province Chapter in elections held last July 29, 2010 at the LMP Bldg, Capitol Site, this city.
     A total of 26 out of the 31 municipal mayors were present during the polls, where Ona took over the reins of the Batangas LMP from former Malvar Mayor Cristeta Reyes. Reyes lost in her congressional bid in the third district of Batangas.
     “The LMP should be united to promote all of its member mayors and defend each other from bad publicities that the media spreads. We as one family should constantly coordinate with each other to share technologies that could make our respective towns be progressive,” Ona said in his speech.
     Ona added that the LMP secretariat is always ready to help any of its members anytime, twenty-four-seven.
     In an interview with Ona, he said the army worm infestation that reportedly destroyed a big part of Calaca’s farms has already been under control.
     “We’ve already solved the problem with pesticides and support to farmers. And then the blessed rains came, which also helped. Our farms are now on their way to recovery,”Ona said.
    Ona is the first three term mayor of Calaca, whose team swept the last local elections. He is reportedly among the most dynamic local heads in Batangas, and is also the provincial head of the Boys Scouts of the Philippines.
     He also suggested the Lakbay Aral program to all towns to improve their tourism sector.
    The mayors who were present at the election were unanimous in their view that they choose Ona for the LMP helm as they believe that choosing between candidates may create obstructive factions within the league.
    Prov. Admin. Victor Reyes, representing Gov. Vilma Santos Recto who, at that time, was in Nasugbu for a medical and dental mission, pledged the provincial government’s full support to the newly-elected LMP leadership and sought that the local leaders go beyond politics and party affiliations so that Batangas can fully move forward through the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.
    San Juan Mayor Rodolfo Manalo won the executive vice president post, while Lemery Mayor Eulalio Alilio, San Pascual’s Antonio Dimayuga, Malvar’s Carlito Reyes and Padre Garcia’s Prudencio Gutierrez were voted as vice presidents for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th districts, respectively.
     Elected officers also include Mabini town’s Nilo Villanueva (secretary), Sta Teresita’s Ma. Aurea Segunial (treasurer), Agoncillo’s Glorioso Martinez (auditor), San Nicolas’ Epifanio Sandoval (PRO), Taal’s Michael Montenegro (1st District Director), Tingloy’s Lauro Alvarez (2nd District Director), Balete’s Leovino Hidalgo (3rd District Director), and Taysan’s Victor Portugal, Jr. and San Jose’s Entiquio Briones (4th District Directors). The election, program, and socials among the mayors lasted until 12 noon.(Mei Magsino) With report from OPG-PIO