The newly-assumed mayor of the first-class town of Baganga, Davo Oriental pledged to infuse life to a neglected municipal health program by expanding PhilHealth’s coverage to majority of the town’s 60,000 population.
“It is a tall order but it can be done,” said Mayor Laureano “Lary” B. Taya, a former non-government organization worker who started his political career as a punong barangay.
He also vowed to enhance and strengthen health facilities such as the Baganga municipal hospital and the health centers by providing them enough equipment and medicines for treatments.
He lamented that these facilities have not been provided vaccines to cope with rabies and tetanus as well as snake bites.
He said the health program would rely on the town’s 300 health workers to expand Phil Health’s coverage to roughly half the population initially—filed, documented and accredited.
“No one should be left behind in so far as universal health care is concerned,” he said.
Taya said that in the field of education, he would pursue vigorously the transformation of the Baganga campus of the Davao Oriental State University into a full-fledged institution with a separate budget, administration and identity of its own.
He said the challenge posed this institution is to come up with technologies that would enhance fishing and agriculture.
“For instance, we are looking at a technology that could produce healthier and affordable feeds for animals, particularly pigs, from local materials,” he said.
“That way we need not rely on the products provided by companies,” he said.
On fiscal management, he said he would ensure that funds will not be wasted on worthless spending, citing the purchase of a P250 million worth of heavy equipment by his predecessor as an example of unnecessary spending.
Joining Taya in assuming their posts are Vice-Mayor Karl Macayra and councilors Ronald Balug, Cathy Aquilon, Paulo B. Serra, Paulo B. Serra, Roneda L. Damuy, Pauo L. Monday. Cedo Gonzales, Aldrin Llanaban and Ariel S. Ferrando.
Taya has served previously in the provincial board of Davao Oriental both as president of the League of the Association of the Barangay Captains and as president of the League of Provincial Boards. (Jimmy K. Laking)
