Eight of 10 newly-elected leaders in Balbalan are political neophytes; the VM and 7 councilmen elect are all first timers

Balbalan, Kalinga – The iBalbalans have put their trust and confidence in political neophytes in the recently-conducted midterm elections as majority of the candidates elected are first-timers in politics.

While the people re-elected incumbent Mayor Almar Malannag who garnered 5,643 votes, they will be having a new Vice Mayor in the next three years with Regina Munda Cruz accumulating the most votes (3,446) in the midterm polls.

As for the municipal councilors, only Clarence Tongdo managed to keep his seat as he was elected number 7. Joining him in the council include first-timers Amy Ulep, Renato Calma, Junior Dao-ayan, Fred Tabcao, Marion “Bentong” Gacayan, Simeon Apaling Jr., and Ricardo Ignacio.

Mayor Malannag, when asked for his advice to his fellow elected officials, mentioned the importance of treating the constituents as family members so they would feel at ease to come and tell their concerns to their leaders. He also cited the importance of sharing the same vision among elected officials.

“Isu nga iti message ko kadagitoy bar-baru nga kakadwa nga na-electaran karkaru dagitoy neophytes nga tinmapog iti pulitika nga nangabak ken napagasatan, sapay kuma ta adda iti good working relation between the legislative and the executive tanu mayat iti panagtrabaho dagitoy duwa nga branches of government karkaru ditoy LGU Balbalan, karkaru nga pumintas nga dumur-as iti ili nga Balbalan. Nu adda ti timmpuyog ti legislative ken executive, mayat ti maysa nga institution kasla iti daytoy agdama nga admin tayo,” he expressed.