Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Sta. Fe officials snub Gwen during launch of island’s power project
OFFICIALS of Sta. Fe town did not show up during last Monday’s inauguration of the Capitol’s power project that will give electricity to one of its islands, Hilantagaan.
Former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. said it was probably the officials’ way of “showing loyalty” to him.
The project was delivered by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Martinez’s political foe. Sta. Fe Mayor Rogelio Illustrisimo Jr. and his council are allies of Martinez.
Illustrisimo could not be reached yesterday, but Martinez stressed he did not give instructions to the town officials not to attend Garcia’s gathering.
“I did not even know they went there,” said Martinez, referring to Garcia and the department heads.
But he said he does not think that the incident still surprised the governor, as Sta. Fe is a known bailiwick of his group.
Garcia reportedly said she was disappointed with the move of Sta. Fe officials, as it was Illustrisimo who went to the governor’s office to ask for the power project.
She considers a “big crime” and a “violation” of the people’s rights the failure of Sta. Fe officials as well as that of Rep. Clavel Martinez, the district representative, to deliver the needed power and water for the island.
Garcia promised Hilanta-gaan’s barangay captain and his constituents that the Capitol will work hard to bring potable water to the island.
Garcia inaugurated the power project that will bring electricity to at least 600 households.
The Capitol spent P900,000 to buy a generator and P460,000 for the transformers.
The Bantayan Electric Cooperative will bring the electricity to the houses through its power lines. (JPM)
