Governor Joseph Cua and his brother, Vice Governor Peter Cua, promised last week to expand the delivery of basic social services and provide quality health care to less fortunate Catandunganons.
The siblings made the vow following their oathtaking before Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Genie G. Gapas-Agbada at the Convention Center last June 30, 2022 along with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, who also took their oaths before Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Atty, Louie Guerrero.
In his inaugural speech, Gov. Cua recalled his rise as a politician starting in 2001 when he was elected as mayor of San Andres before being elected governor in 2007 during a second bid.
Along the way, he said, he successfully fended off the challenges of his former allies, broke the jinx of a governor not completing a third term or winning after a defeat, and defied another jinx of two members of the same family running for the top two provincial posts.
Describing excessive politicking as a roadblock to public service, Cua stressed his administration has proven that nothing can beat a program that is centered on helping people at any hour of the day.
“I am confident that our administration will usher a brand of leadership that is familiar but is strengthened by our synergy,” he said, noting that he and Boss Te share the same upbringing as well as the same focus on basic social services.
We have been always ready to help the people, conscious of their needs, armed with a good vision for the province and mindful of those who helped us succeed, the governor stressed.
Cited they grew up and raised family in Catanduanes, both permanent residents and established businesses that continue to help bring jobs and boost the local economy while facing the dangers brought by calamities.
“We know and we feel the suffering and the needs of the Catandunganon,” he added, remind everyone that he and his sibling grew up and raised their respective families on the island and established businesses that continue to help bring jobs and boost the local economy, while experiencing with the people the dangers brought by calamities.
“Public service should be round-the-clock and 24/7,” Gov. Cua urged, adding that their brand of leadership will also put a premium on providing efficient service to the people.
He cited the immense progress made by the province over the years, including the low poverty incidence, thriving MSMEs, infrastructures, and high COVID-19 vaccination rate, among others, due to the administration’s collaborative efforts with partner agencies and departments.
Among the plans that he outlined during the inaugural address were the improvement of medical services through the expansion of capacity and upgrading of lab and other medical equipment like a CT scan with 64 slices for faster diagnosis, compared to the 34-slice one in a private hospital; the operation of the 10-unit dialysis center at EBMC in the next two months at a rate cheaper by 50% compared to private hospitals; creation of jobs through various industries to be lured to economic zones; and priority for agriculture and the goal of self-sufficiency in terms of food security.
Cua likewise paid tribute to former Congressman Hector Sanchez who he said had done a lot for Catanduanes in just one term, from the bypass roads planned for all 11 towns and the submarine power cable project which is now being pursued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
In closing, he said he will count on the leadership of his brother at the SP in pursuing a cohesive and responsive Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA).
In his address, Vice Governor Peter Cua underscored that the synergy between the legislative and executive branches will immensely benefit the people.
Calling on critics to move forward and be receptive of the new partnership, he assured that alongside his full support to the governor, he will be constructively critical in considering every executive agenda of his brother and be transparent in his governance.
“It must be regarded as an ideal combination because the executive and legislative branches of government are in harmony with each other and therefore running the affairs of the province would be easy and the delivery of basic services to the people will be fast and readily available at any given time,” Cua noted.
Aside from crafting legislative measures at the provincial board, he likewise vowed to open the Office of the Vice Governor to the people and expand its services, especially to the less fortunate.
“We may not be able to answer and solve all what you would need, but I assure you, nobody asking for help will ever leave the OVG empty-handed,” he said.