Vergara, hailed as “The Empowered Woman of Cabanatuan,” said that the prudent use of government resources, particularly the controversial countrywide development fund (CDF), can uplift the lives of people in her district.
Vergara who was president of the Cabanatuan Electric Corp. (Celcor) which distributes electricity to this highly urbanizing city and chief executive officer of independent power producer First Cabanatuan Ventures Corp. (FCVC) prior to her candidacy said her office will give weight to provision of financial facilities among farmers in the district minus the fertilizer scam.
“Lalong lalo na ang aking programa para sa mga magsasaka kung saan gusto ko ay magkaroon sila ng pondo na mababa lamang ang interest nang sa ganun ang mga kinikita nila ay hindi napupunta lamang sa nagpapautang,” she said.
Vergara was credited by thousands of farmers from this city for the resurrection of subsidy on seeds from the city government by matching its budget with private funds after the national government withdrew from the program a couple of years back.
Vergara, a holder of Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with honors from Ateneo de Manila University, Associate Degree in Apparel Production Management, summa cum laude from the Fashion School of Technology in New York City, USA and MBA Degree from Harvard Graduate School, Boston, Massachusetts, said education for all is also on top of her priority.
For her, scholarship is not only for students with shining reports cards. “Basta gustong mag-aral kahit 75 ang marka ay pwedeng maging scholar,” she said.
Vergara said that flash floods brought by couple of typhoons that hit the province, particularly large portion of the 3rd and 4th districts last year have pushed her to pursue search for a comprehensive solutions.
This city was among the places hardest hit by the floods that destroyed infrastructure, residences and crops.
The wife of reelected Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara, the new solon won by over 2,500 votes over incumbent Gov. Aurelio Umali whose political career became phenomenal in defeating known political giants, including members of the influential Joson clan.
Umali served as 3rd district representative for two terms before winning the gubernatorial post in 2007 against former Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson and was undefeated since. His wife, incumbent 3rd District Rep. Czarina Umali was elected governor last May 9.
The Vergaras and Umalis were allies until their ties severed over the issue of converting Cabanatuan from component to highly urbanized city.
Mayor Vergara pushed for the conversion and the Umalis opposed. But Vergara maintained her decision to join politics was intended to expanding the brand of service which her husband is extending here.
“Hindi ako pumasok sa laban na ito para talunin ang sinuman, ako’y pumasok para bigyan ng alternative ang mga mamamayan ng ikatlong distrito kung gusto nilang subukan ang pagbabago at progreso na ginagawa sa Cabanatuan ng aking asawa na si Mayor Jay,” she said.
The road was not that smooth though. She faced a disqualification case which is pending before the Commission on Elections. She also faced an exclusion case which the court ruled in her favor last February.
“Napakahirap ng dinaanan ng laban na ito. Mula’t mula pa, pag-file ko ng candidacy ko meron nang disqualification case, may naging exclusion case, lahat na lang ng hakbang-legal ay ginawa pero ako’y nanalig at kumuha ng lakas sa mga tao na naghahanap ng alternative,” Vergara explained.
“Ako’y binigyan nila ng tiwala, hindi so sila bibiguin,” Vergara said, saying she will continue to consult people, local leaders who believed in her.
