Republic of the Philippines
Province of
Ilocos Sur
Municipality of
San Esteban
Office of the
Mayor
October 17, 2006
Greetings in
Christ!
First
and foremost, I would like to extend my
heartfelt gratitude to the SECC for inviting me
once more in celebrating the 80th
anniversary of your organization. It’s really a
pleasure to grace this occasion where long-lost
friends, relatives and town mates would meet
again, renew and strengthen age-old relations
and forge closer ties. Much as I would like to
attend this one grandiose occasion of yours,
earlier and very important appointments I made
and meetings to attend to in our town would not
permit to travel outside the country at this
point in time. Nevertheless, I know that even
in my absence, physically, I will be there
making cheers to each and every one of you.
Since
this is my last year in my last term to serve as
Mayor in our humble town San Esteban, I am proud
to tell you that I have done my part in making
our hometown more progressive and more peaceful
to live in. The formulation of the
Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA), where the
executive and legislative have since been
harmoniously working with one another, served as
the vehicle towards attaining the vision and
goals on this municipality. Greater and better
access to all programs, projects and services
being offered by the local government unit was
achieved, with emphasis on serving the poor and
marginalized sectors of the community.
But of
the greatest achievements of this administration
was forging closer ties with various balikbayan
groups especially those who in the United
States, one of which is your organization, the
SECC. Your organization including the US-bases
balikbayan organizations, have helped a lot in
the delivery of basic services to our
constituents like the conduct of medical
missions, grant of scholarships and other
rewards to poor but deserving students, among
others. This partnership with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), I hope would continue even
though I will no longer be the local chief
executive of our town. I would probably reach
self-fulfillment if there would be continuity
and sustainability in all the noble programs and
projects I have initiated during the three terms
or nine years of serving as Mayor. This is the
legacy I want to leave behind for anyone to
emulate once he or she has the reins of power
and authority to govern our humble town of San
Esteban.
Again,
let everybody enjoy the celebration of our 80th
anniversary. More power to your organization
and MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!
Let us all be
PROUD TO BE A SAN ESTEBANIAN!
ARMANDO V. ABAD
Municipality Mayor
