A NEW caretaker for Benguet Province's lone congressional district was appointed Monday evening, January 20.
Governor Melchor Diclas said he was informed Monday evening that party-list Representative Eric Go Yap of Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) was named caretaker of the province.
The appointment came after members of the Provincial Board approved and signed a resolution forwarded to the House of Representatives and to Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano for the immediate conduct of a special election in the province following the death of Representative Nestor Fongwan Sr.
Diclas, meanwhile, said it will be up to the House of Representatives to decide on the request of the Provincial Board of Benguet, saying a special election will entail a long process.
The official also expressed optimism for a caretaker to look out for the province in the meantime that there is still no special election.
Before his demise, the late Fongwan Sr. served the province for less than a year.
Yap already convene with La Trinidad Councilor and Board Member Nestor Fongwan Jr. and Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, chief of staff of the Lone District Representative of Benguet to open communication for the smooth operation of their office and to assure the bills initiated by the late congressman and all that he intended to accomplish will be attended accordingly.
Yap also said that he will vigorously commit his time for Benguet until the expiration of the term.