Chiz leads Sorsogon execs inaugural rites

SORSOGON CITY --- Newly-elected Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero led local officials in the province as they took their oath of office Sunday morning at Capitol Park in front of the century-old Provincial Capitol Building here.

Escudero took his oath before Regional Trial Court Judge Rofebar Gerona after he swore into office the two congresswomen of the province, re-elected Congw. Evelina Escudero and the newly elected Congw. Ditas Ramos, sister of out-going Cong. Ding Ramos.

The new governor also administered the oaths to Vice-Governor Manuel Fortes together with the ten provincial board members, all the mayors, except Matnog Mayor Claudette So who was absent, as well as all the vice-mayors and municipal councilors.

Despite the overcast skies the event was well attended with punong barangays of the province in full attendance together with the officials of various national government agencies, non-government organizations, private sector and religious leaders.

In his inaugural address, Escudero rallied all the local officials under the mantra, “Lambang Sorsoganon Magdanon” to work together harmoniously and set aside political differences for the benefit of the people and the province.

He also called on the public to fully support their local officials saying that no amount of effort by the newly installed officials could accomplish the task at hand without the people’s help and cooperation.

Escudero stressed the need for a united front for the province so as to achieve the plans and programs they had presented to the public during the campaign that merited their success at the polls.

He urged the vanquished in the recent electoral exercise to join them in pushing for the progress and development of the province which had long been neglected.

The former senator said Sorsoganons had waited long enough and they now deserve the best governance and service the new officials could offer.

He assured them that he would hit the ground running to provide his provincemates with true, real and honest public service.

“The only interest that will prevail in my mind in everything that I will do as the father of the province is the interest of the people, you, as well as the interest of providing better public service to all Sorsoganons” Escudero stressed.

Chiz is a great grandson of former Gov. Salvador “Gurang” Escudero Sr. who was the Sorsogon governor when the country was invaded by Japanese forces as World War II reached the Philippines in 1941.