Newly appointed Daraga mayor vows to pursue Jaucian’s vision

By Rhaydz B. Barcia DARAGA, Albay --- Newly appointed Mayor Carlwyn “Awin” Baldo vowed to continue the hard work and vision of late Mayor Gerry Jaucian in this town. Baldo who took his oath as the new mayor of Daraga on Friday before the office of Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said he will work hard to serve the people of this town. Baldo replaced former Mayor Gerry Jaucian who succumbed to lung cancer Friday last week. Jaucian, 70, chairman of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)–Albay, succumbed to death due to lung cancer at past 1:00 a.m. on May 4 at the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi Hospital. Rep. Joey Salceda, of Albay’s 2nd district and a cousin of the late mayor, said Jaucian served Daraga for 24 years. He was also the president of Island Cluster Luzon from 2013 to 2016 and LMP national adviser from 2016 until his death. “The whole [of] Daraga mourns for the death of our beloved Mayor Gerry Jaucian. It is always painful to lose a loved one. May the comfort of God embrace those he has left behind through this difficult time,” Baldo said. Jaucian according to Baldo is known for his advocacy on public safety and sustainable development, with ultimate desire to make Daraga the most livable town in Albay. Baldo served his first term in Daraga as vice mayor in 2016 after serving his former hometown Camalig as mayor. Baldo came from a political family in Camalig town whose sister Mayor Ding Baldo served as a Camalig mayor while the former mayor now vice mayor Carlos Baldo now serves as the vice mayor of the same town. When asked if how he felt about assuming the post, Baldo said that it is God who controls all things while calling on the Daragueños for solidarity. “It is God who calls leaders to their positions. I am called and I am bound to serve, aware also of the great responsibility placed on my shoulders,” the newly appointed chief executive of this town said. According to him, though the people of Daraga are grieving for the demise of mayor Jaucian they will continue to work hard. “Working must never stop, even in times of grief and sorrow, we will sow,” Baldo said.