Cagayan vice gov defends ‘missing’ local execs

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin Vargas Jr. defended the mayors and local officials who were reported to be “missing in action” during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong in the province two weeks ago.

“For some, it was insensitive on our part to go there (Malacañang), while our beloved Cagayanos face the wrath of Typhoon Ompong. Some may think that it was a lapse of judgment on our part to still push through with the scheduled meeting, despite knowing of the bad weather in the province,” Vargas said in a statement.

Vargas admitted to have led several Cagayan mayors and local officials who visited Malacañang Palace on the eve of the typhoon’s landfall in Baggao, Cagayan.

He said their purpose in going to Malacañang was not to attend a “Palace tour” but to hold a dialogue between national and local officials on issues concerning the province.

He said as local government officials, it was a decision they had to make since they might not have another “golden opportunity” in the future to have an audience with Executive Secretary Salvador Meldialdea.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Rupert Maribbay served a show cause order dated Sept. 26 to the following Cagayan officials who went to Malacanang: Vice Gov. Melvin K. Vargas, Jr., board members (BM) Olivia Pascual, Vilmer Viloria, Christopher Barcena, Archie Layus, Karen Turingan, Perla Tumaliuan; ex-officio board members Maila Ting-Que, Bryan Paul Vargas, Al Niño Son Timbas; Piat Mayor Black Villacete, Lal-lo Mayor Florante Pascual, Lasam Mayor Marjorie Salazar, Rizal Mayor Brenda Ruma, Solana Mayor Jenalyn Carag, Peñablanca Vice Mayor Marlyn Taguinod, Iguig Vice Mayor Judith Trinidad, Allacapan Vice Mayor Leonila Onia, Lasam Vice Mayor Cambe, Sta.Praxedes Vice Mayor Esther Aguinaldo, Solana Vice Mayor Jojo Carag, and Tuguegarao City Councilor Jude Bayona.