Manuel Degollacion Jr. Unfolds His Vision for Oponganon Progress
Written By Jade Golisao
Asenso!
A powerful one-word statement that comes from the Latin word ‘ascenso’, which translates to ‘progress’ and ‘improvement’.
Every Cebuano would want to see change, development, and asenso in their lives. People in Cebu place a high value on achieving their ambitions, and this is true across the nation. In a fast-changing world, social development must be highlighted as people can have more fulfilling lives and develop as a product of improved living circumstances.
Running for a possible position as Congressman of Lapu-Lapu City, Attorney Manuel T. Degollacion Jr. reveals his plans for his fellow Oponganons. Degollacion has been exemplary in initiating the provision of free drinking water to his nearby constituents during the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette last December 2021, which struck Lapu-Lapu City devastatingly and left them scarce on water, signal coverage, and fuel for their day-to-day use. This adds up to his platforms on his candidacy as possibly the next Congressman of Lapu-Lapu’s sole congressional district.
#Bag-o Nasad, Passion for Progress
Degollacion Jr. rose for his passion for serving the Oponganons (wherein he strongly advocates for progress and growth in the city of Lapu-Lapu. In an interview with Fascinating Features, he envisioned his platforms and advocacies in running for the position of Congressman
“My duty is to serve the people of Lapu-Lapu City,” he said.
“If I get elected as the Congressman, I will see to it that the district funds will be used primarily in scholarship programs, free access to drinking water, ‘Botika ng Barangay’ (a drug outlet run by a community organization, local government uni, or non-government organization), maternity health centers, relocation sites, and livelihood programs [for the Oponganons],” he added.
During the occurrence of this interview (dated last March 5, 2022), Degollacion Jr.’s sincere proclamation of his platform for Lapu-Lapu City has ignited the hearts of those who are under his party. He also hopes to connect with citizens, who yearn for free access to basic needs — like the ones the attorney mentioned.
Solutions to the Societal Problems of Lapu-Lapu City
Maternity Health Care Centers
Atty. Degollacion Jr. proposed that building maternity health centers is a necessary thing to do.
“I want to see that maternity health centers for pregnant women are also necessary. If I get elected, I will establish, for each district [barangay], [a] maternity center,” he stated.
This has surely warmed the hearts of the Oponganon as it is indeed a real need knowing that the City of Lapu-Lapu is a coastal city in Cebu. Degollacion Jr’s plan on maternity health centers will surely be hassle-free and at the same time beneficial amongst his constituents.
Traffic Congestion
In the busy and humid daily life of an Oponganon, one of their greatest challenges as a resident of Lapu-Lapu City is the endless traffic congestion that surely hinders them from getting to their workplaces or even school premises as early as they should. This problem of theirs adds up to their pile of worries since they go through this stressful problem almost every day.
According to Degollacion Jr., this has indeed been one of the problems in their municipality; in his burning passion for running as a Congressman, his plan of action in solving this issue is to propose a plan on putting up coastal roads in certain areas in Lapu-Lapu City.
“I think, to solve the problem, considering that Lapu-Lapu city is a coastal area – surrounded by water, I think that is the time that we will put up coastal roads.”
Degollacion Jr. strongly believes that this solution will indeed reduce the traffic congestion, prevent workers and students from getting late, and there would be more options in terms of roadways for the people of Lapu-Lapu to use when it comes to road travel.
Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal, which is a different societal problem in Lapu-Lapu City, is the basis of Degollacion Jr.'s proposed platforms. He would like to pass a law ensuring that the garbage collection and its disposal in the designated landfills are surely and strictly enforced and monitored.
In this case, the barangay officials of the municipality are held accountable for this course of action. This will firmly put the Oponganons at an advantage as it won’t be painstaking to have piles of trash that are not being collected by the barangay officials.
Relocation Sites
Aside from the two aforementioned current societal problems of Lapu-Lapu City, Atty. Degollacion Jr. would also like to address the present-day problem of the municipality in terms of the relocation of the individuals who reside in shantytowns. He sees this course of action as a solution to preventing the municipality from becoming an overcrowded place for people to live in. This leans on to his platform of Relocation Sites.
Why Vote for Atty. Degollacion Jr.?
In his candidacy, Atty. Degollacion Jr. would wish to instill the tagline: “Sigurado ang Serbisyo! Pilion ta sa Pag-Asenso [Service is Certain! Let’s choose Progress]” to the Oponganons, as he wants them to see his scorching potentials and exceptional qualities that he is made of.
At the end of the interview with Fascinating Features, when questioned as to how he would want to be remembered by the Oponganons if ever he wins the election, Degollacion Jr. stated that he intends people to remember him as someone who was able to build up Maternity Health Centers for all the pregnant women in his hometown.
With the help of the Oponganons, everyone will surely attain their utmost need for Asenso.
Recommended Song: Sails - Manor Blue
Images from Atty. Manuel Degollacion’s Facebook Page
