ILOILO CITY – The newly sworn-in officers of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Iloilo Chapter are urging municipal mayors in Iloilo province to enhance the promotion of their towns’ exemplary practices and accomplishments.
The inauguration ceremony for the new set of LMP-Iloilo officers took place in a hotel located in Molo district on Thursday afternoon, with Secretary Benhur C. Abalos, Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Governance administering the oath.
Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez, the newly elected LMP-Iloilo president and Mayor of San Enrique town, called on her fellow mayors to intensify efforts in disseminating positive news about their respective municipalities throughout the province.
Fernandez emphasized the need for proper documentation of the municipalities’ achievements and proposed the creation of an online directory that can be utilized by all mayors. She noted that existing tourism offices mainly focus on promoting tourist attractions, overlooking the broader spectrum of accomplishments.
“As the president of LMP-Iloilo, one of my initiatives is to compile data for a comprehensive directory of mayors and municipalities,” she explained during an interview. Fernandez highlighted the importance of showcasing the awards and accolades received by Iloilo’s municipalities, which often go unnoticed.
She cited Anilao town, which won the best tourism event award from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines – Department of Tourism (ATOP-DOT) in 2018 for its Banaag Festival. Many other municipalities have also received prestigious recognitions, such as the Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, but lack proper publicity.
Fernandez’s proposed online directory aims to serve as a valuable resource not only for mayors but also for the media. She stressed the importance of organizing and documenting the contributions of Iloilo’s municipalities to the overall progress of the province.
The newly elected LMP-Iloilo officers include Richard Garin of Miag-ao as vice president for external affairs, Suzette Mamon of Badiangan as vice president for internal affairs, Nathalie Ann Debuque of Anilao as treasurer, Braedan John Biro of Dumangas as auditor, and Laurence Anthony Gorriceta of Pavia as public relations officer.
Fernandez urged the new LMP-Iloilo team to collaborate in transcending political affiliations and working together for the success of the organization and the advancement of the province. Iloilo province consists of 42 towns and one component city. /rjip
