BACOLOR, Pampanga – Former three-term Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dungca categorically announced on Tuesday he would seek his old post in 2013, with education as his top agenda.
“Winning the war against poverty is anchored on education,” Dungca said as he lambasted present town leaders for neglecting “this basic truth.”
Dungca’s pronouncement to Punto ended months of speculations of whether the industrial engineer-turned-public servant will run for Bacolor mayor or vice governor. He disclosed that incumbent Vice Mayor Ananais “Jun” Canlas will be his running-mate.
“If one member of the family gets good education and college diploma, he or she can help the younger siblings and the parents. It’s innate among Filipinos to share what they have, especially with their families,” said Dungca in the dialect. He was the first ever three-term Bacolor mayor, serving from 2001 to 2010.
Asked about the number of scholars he had helped with municipal funds and his own money, Dungca said “I could not remember because I don’t really count.”
“What I do remember is most of them had finished degrees with high grades and some had even graduated cum laude or even higher. I am very happy when I see the joy on their faces and their family celebrating during graduations,” said Dungca.
Dungca, who was 34 years-old when he won his first term in 2001, said he was “extremely hurt and bothered” when some Bacolor local officials viewed assistance to education as a “dole-out.”
Dungca said that funds of government will never be enough “if you really want to help.”
“This is true, especially in local governance. We must dig from our own pockets because many of our constituents are still poor and some need immediate help,” added Dungca, who is now holding “People’s Day” once a week like when he was mayor. It is held Saturdays at his farm and house in Barangay Makabakle.
Dungca said he had been endorsed as official candidate of the local provincial party Kambilan headed by Gov. Lilia Pineda.
Dungca thanked prominent political figures in Bacolor, including former Board Member Ferdinand Labung, for supporting his comeback, almost three months before the filing of certificate of candidacy and one year before the May elections.
“I mention only my friend Dinan Labung because he is openly with me now. But there are many backing me up but we don’t want them publicize as yet for strategic purposes,” added Dungca in jest.
