New Candaba mayor backs revival of Ibon-Ebon Festival

 

In Photo: The Ibon-Ebon Festival dancers pose before the newly erected Ibon-Ebon Icon at the boundary of Candaba and Santa Ana.

New Candaba mayor backs revival of Ibon-Ebon Festival
Joel Mapiles

CANDABA, Pampanga—Mayor Danilo Baylon has vowed to support the revival of the annual Ibon-Ebon Festival, together with former Mayor Jerry Pelayo, who initiated the event during his stint as this town’s chief executive.

Baylon announced during the grand eyeball of the members of Anak ng Candaba (ANC), a non-governmental organization that want to be of help to the town.
In fact, the Ibon-Ebon Icon was unveiled at the boundary of the town in Pansol, Barangay Pasig, and the town of Santa Ana.

It can be recalled that, during the term of former Mayor Rene Maglanque, the festival’s budget was scrapped.

Hence, the organizers of the ANC grand eyeball decided to erect the Ibon-Ebon Icon that symbolizes the return of the town’s annual birds and eggs festival held when the migratory birds are in the Candaba Swamp.

Baylon said he would still get the sentiments of the Candabeños and consult them if they are willing to support the festival.

It can be noted that the annual Ibon-Ebon Festival aimed celebrating the huge harvest and production of multi-million duck-raising industry and the arrival of migratory birds from the different parts of the world at the Candaba Swamp.

Smith Balmaceda and Hannah Len de Guzman, ANC event organizers,  said aside from the unveiling of the Ibon-Ebon Icon, they have also prepared a program showcasing the talents of Ibon-Ebon dancers and the holding of a bloodletting activity sponsored by the provincial health office, Jose B. Lingad Regional Memorial Medical Center and other stakeholders mainly to help save lives.

The event was also graced by former Vice Mayor Daniel Gallardo, former Municipal Administrator Leny Manalo, former barangay chairmen, members of Kabalikat Civicom, local media and facebook group-Candaba Updated Ka managed by Edwina Zabat del Rosario.

Mayor Danilo Boy Baylon applies transparency, honesty, integrity in governance

In the first 100 days in office
Mayor Danilo Boy Baylon applies transparency, honesty, integrity in governance
JOEL P. MAPILES

CANDABA, Pampanga --- In the first 100 days in office of Mayor Danilo Boy Baylon, he implemented clear vision of transparency, integrity and honesty in governance particularly in fiscal management system to ensure that all expenditures are accounted for and see to it, that it is beneficial to the welfare of the people.

He discouraged corruption in all municipal government transactions stressing to employees that what he wanted is clean governance. In fact, he said the funds of the town hall when he assumed office was only P1.2 –million, now it balloons to P30-million.
“Hindi na pupuwede iyong corruption. Hindi na puwede iyong may komikomisyon. Sa bidding, wala ng tatanggap ng SOP. Hindi na puwede iyong lagay-lagay kundi ang gusto natin ay clean governance,” the mayor said.

With this, he said, the government project will not be compromised; only the contractor’s profit will be less from the project.

The mayor has stopped over-spending on supplies, medicines, materials and implement cost-cutting measures on gasoline expenses that save P500, 000 monthly for the municipality.
The mayor personally monitored the purchase of medicines, supplies materials needed by the employees and the people whom he pledged to serve.

“Nakakatipid tayo ng 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent pati iyong sa gamot. Iyong diesel, gas namin dati iyan P600, 000 ngayon ay almost P100, 000 na lang,” he said.

He said for the past three months, he already visited different barangays with the help of his private firm to reach out the town’s people and augment their needs such as food. Most of his constituents, he said, are buying kilos of rice on a daily basis and have no savings in bank but have more loans.
“I want to be a role model for the people. I experienced hard up in life but through sacrifices, perseverance and faith in God, I became who I am now. I have no vices. Walang sugal. Hindi ako umiinom. Hindi ako nainvolved sa illegal drugs ni minsan man hindi ko natikman iyan. I am one woman man. Isa lang ang babaing minahal ko,” he said.

However, he stressed his foremost priority is bringing the people closer to Almighty God and teach them on how to work and make a living.

He said his role is to be a catalyst of change, work for the development of the morale being of the people and make them obey the words of the Almighty.

Baylon vowed that more projects would be implemented soon with the budget of the municipal government aside from the projects that could be given by the province and the national government.

Future Plans
He wants to renovate and beautify the municipal public market; build housing project for the people whose houses near the Pampanga riverbank are now in danger; establish municipal college to cater the needs of the poor youth who want to pursue college education.

He said the municipal government now has 1,300 scholars and with the current municipal government’s budget they could afford to pay their tuition fees for one semester. “With the help also of the province, regional and national governments, more students would be able finish their college education,” he added.

The municipal government will also put up CCTV camera, street lights and implement beautification project in the town area to ensure the security and safety of the people.

He will also establish Bahay Pag-asa for the drug surrenderees in Kapampangan Region’s municipal extension as he also vowed to give potable water to his constituents in the far-flung areas.
On duck raising, he said it is a booming industry but it has no proper location. Hence, he would work for the implementation of the comprehensive land use plan to separate the poultry, from residential and commercial areas as the people also suffer from its waste. “Wala namang nagbabayad ng tax sa kanila,” the mayor said.

When he assumed office, the mayor said the collection from Real Property Tax (RPT) was P10-million and the municipal share is only P3-million.

Hence, he also plans to work for the strict collection of local business tax and RPT as the town has thousands of hectares of land but the land and business owners failed to religiously pay their annual dues and taxes.

He also targets to buy new government vehicles for the municipal officials particularly for treasurer and assessor's office so they could work hard, map out and increase the collection of RPTs.

He also prohibited all forms of gambling in fiestas such as perya, bingo, tong-its and the likes with money involved.

The mayor also added that he refused to receive money from illegal gambling such as jueteng.