Maglanque to promote inclusive governance

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Comebacking Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque is set to implement a new brand of governance once he reclaims the local chief executive post in his hometown.

Maglanque, who was mayor of Candaba from 2013 to 2016, said he will be launching a government that will be more inclusive and equal to Candabeños if elected anew in the May 2019 polls.

“Once you are elected, you are not a mayor of your friends or your allies alone, rather of the whole municipality. Your primary mandate is to provide quality service to all Candabeños from all corners of the municipality, regardless if they voted for you or not,” said Maglanque as he recalled his past experiences.

To provide inclusive governance, Maglanque said he is eyeing to break the walls that divide Candabeños into different groups which has been hampering the potential for development of Candaba.

“One thing I’ve understood from my three-year hiatus is there is no permanent enemy nor a friend in politics. But once you are elected, your duty is not to serve your friends alone, neither create division against your enemies. Your primary mandate is to provide quality public service to all your constituents,” he said.

He stressed that as voters in a democratic country, people are given a choice to exercise their right to vote, and their choice must not be taken against them once voting results are out.

“Why burden the people for making their choice as they exercise their right to vote? As candidates, we are only choices. And if fortunate, we will be elected and be given a chance to serve, we have to make the most of it by becoming inclusive to everybody,” he said.

In his goal to make Candaba progressive, Maglanque said he first needs to break the walls that divide the people and promote unity in the town.

He lamented that Candabeños have already become deeply rooted in local politics that has already created division in the community which have been hampering the development of the town, and its potentials to become competitive with other municipalities.

“There is already too much politics in our municipality. People are grouped into local officials that they are supporting, and it is becoming unhealthy for our municipality. I want those walls broken and promote unity among all Candabeños to claim our common goal of a making Candaba a competitive municipality,” said Maglanque.

Maglanque also called on his fellow local officials, both past and incumbents, to lead their supporters to participate into a more peaceful and orderly community.

“Let us stop the mudslinging and politicking. Let’s rather be united to reach our common goal of making Candaba progressive,” he said.