TARLAC second district congressional candidate and incumbent Victoria Mayor Christian Tell Yap has the pedigree and know-how to become an illustrious Tarlac politician owing to the fact that in his short stint as mayor, he was able to stir Victoria town into one of the fastest developing municipalities in the province in terms of jobs creation, education, health care, food security, infrastructure and the preservation of the town’s natural resources.
The eldest child of Governor Susan Yap, Christian, 36, was personally honed by no less than his grandfather, Tarlac’s political icon Jose “Aping” Yap to become a public servant.
Christian belongs to a family of public servants. Aside from his mother who, before becoming governor of Tarlac, served as congresswoman of the second district for two consecutive terms, his grandfather as a six-time representative of the second district and a three-term governor of Tarlac, his uncles Victor Yap and Jose “Pengoy” Yap Jr. likewise served the people of Tarlac.
Victor is a three-term vice mayor of Victoria, three-term governor of the province and a two-term congressman while Jose Jr. served as a six-term Mayor of San Jose town. He also has a cousin, Miko Yap Macasaet, who is currently serving as councilor of San Jose.
Accomplishments as Mayor
As the chief executive of Victoria from 2019 to 2021, Christian conducted several jobs fair resulting to the immediate hiring of 263 individuals; 2,610 Victorians benefitted from the Tulong Pang Hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers [TUPAD]; distributed rotavater, hay baler and drip irrigation for farmers; 40 interns gained from the Government Internship Program; 60 students benefited from the Special Program for the Employment of Students [SPES]; 100 beneficiaries in five TESDA Livelihood Trainings.
Thirty Overseas Filipino Workers were given livelihood; 10 benefited from the Service for the Youth e-Learning Assistance Program [SYAP]; establishment of livelihood stores; 99 recipients of 4Ps Farming; establishment of Biowaste Mass Shredder and freeze dryer and food processing plant.
These programs and projects we all under his administration’s Trabaho Muna agenda.
Under his Edukasyon Muna Program, a total of 786 students were granted scholarship under the Municipal Educational Assistance Program [MEAP]; distribution of transistor radios for elementary public schools of Victoria; a number of students were enrolled to the scholarship program of the Ched Tulong Dunong under the Kabayan Partylist and the awarding of Risograph machines and bond papers to Victoria public schools.
In Christian’s Kalusugan Muna Program, he established the Botika ng Bayan [PharmaCY], DoH certified Community Isolation Unit; provided free wheelchairs and walkers to persons with disabilities [PWDs]; 800 benefitted from the Champion TP-Response for 4Ps; awarded barangay service vehicles; provided ambulance management and first aid trainings and the vaccination awareness for the people of Victoria.
Under his Pagkain Muna program, Christian distributed free hybrid seeds and bags of hybrid yellow corn that benefitted 90 farmers; with the assistance of RFFA and SURE AID 880 farmers and 16 livestock raisers obtained insurance for produce; Financial assistance of P15,395,000 benefitting 3,079 farmers and another P660,000 financial subsidy was granted for 84 farmers.
Seven thousand five hundred broiler chicks, 10 cattles, 10 carabaos and 20 goats were distributed benefitting 240 livestock farmers; 4-wheel tractor, rice combine harvester, riding-type rice transplanter and shallow tube wells were likewise distributed; 40,000 propagated seedlings were distributed to the people of Victoria for commercial and back-yard farming; the establishment of the very first Philippine Carabao Center aimed for milk production and the distribution of relief goods for those affected by the pandemic.
Christian Yap developed a Mini-Forest Park, Padyak Para sa Kalikasan; Wild Bird Watching; Tree Planting and Eco-Bricks production under his Kalikasan Muna Program.
Congressional Candidacy
Christian said that he was surprised by the substitution but is ready to face any challenges that lies ahead.
“Tayo ay talagang nagagalak, nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na ituloy yung pagseserbisyo. Ngayon lumawak yung aking area of responsibility di na Victoria kundi buong second district so ang tiwala na talagang magta-trabaho tayo para diretso pa rin ang magagawa nating trabaho para sa second district,” he said.
Victor, 55, said his reason for withdrawing is personal and for health reasons.
He cited that he is suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD], a disease that causes airflow blockage and breathing-related problems.
“This is not a major cause of concern but I need to take a breather from politics so that I can be fully healed…I have no cancer or any other life-threatening diseases,” he pointed-out.
He likewise said that after more than two straight decades in politics, he wants to be with his children.
“They are already growing up. My eldest daughter is about to get married and I need to be with them. Nagtatampo na sila,” Cong. Yap said.
He likewise said that his temporary absence in politics will not stop him from rendering public service to the people of Tarlac.
“Nandito parin naman ako upang mag-laan ng aking serbisyo publiko. ‘Di mawawala yun,” Cong. Yap said.
