Outgoing Ormoc mayor running for Congress

OUTGOING Ormoc City Mayor Eric Codilla filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for representative of the fourth district of Leyte last October 3.

“I vouched for my good governance and healthy financial coffers of Ormoc City for my last three terms,” Codilla said.

Codilla was accompanied by his father Eufrocino Codilla, a three-term Ormoc City mayor and three-term representative of the fourt district of Leyte.

Also present were his wife Judila, his mother, other members of the family, Council City members and supporters from Ormoc and Kananga.

His brother incumbent Kananga, Leyte Mayor Elmer Codilla filed his COC before they proceeded to Tacloban City.

“I am confident the people of the fourth district will support me,” said Codilla, who is running under Lakas-CMD. Aside from Kananga Mayor Elmer Codilla, Merida Mayor Marthon Solaña is supporting him.

Running against Codilla is incumbent Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez.

Gomez is said to have the support of mayors from the municipalities of Isabel, Palompon, Albuera, and Matag-ob comprising the fourth district.

“Education is my topmost priority when elected. It is my dream to put up an Ormoc City State University. After high school, our students either go to Tacloban, Baybay and Cebu City. This is additional big expense for the students for their board and lodging. In Ormoc City, our administration has built a total of 184 new classrooms and we are planning to build more before the end of my term in 2013. I still believe education is the key for progress and prosperity,” Codilla said.

Codilla is proud of his accomplishments during his nine years in office.

The city built its state-of-the-art City Hall, which cost P380 million, including its furniture and fixtures; an agricultural laboratory; the soon-to-open Ormoc City hospital; sanitary landfill five 3-in-1 building that houses satellite offices of the police, Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development to serve the different districts of the city, among others.

“I am happy to say we did all these accomplishments without a loan from any bank or financial institution. Most of all, a harmonious relationship with the legislative and the executive offices without sacrificing check and balance,” Codilla said. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)