 | |
| San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto swears in TUCSO officers. |
By Marites Palma
San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto officiated at the induction of officers of The United City of San Fernando (Tucso) on Feb 19 at Sai Ying Pun Community Complex.
The induction coincided with the group’s 9th anniversary celebration. In his address, Gualberto highlighted the city’s programs intended for families of overseas Filipino workers. He said he came to Hong Kong not just to grace the anniversary celebration, but also to listen to the group’s grievances, and their mission they wanted to impart to their home city.
He said OFWs are partners for improvement, thus the city government has come up with intervention programs for OFW kids with DSWD as its partner. The program started a few months ago with barangays Paryan and Santiago as pilot areas.
As part of the program, the city government is helping OFW kids cope with the separation from parents who go abroad just to give them a better future. He said it’s sad there are kids who don’t appreciate the value of their parents’ sacrifices.
Other initiatives include scholarships for deserving students, job creation and skills training for all residents of San Fernando.
He also introduced the LNP, meaning “Lakas ng Pagbabago”, a program for drug dependents which gives them hope for their recovery. He said he believes that drug dependents could someday become productive citizens, if given the chance to change their ways. “Hindi sila mga salot ng lipunan, hindi nakakatakot na mamamayan, kundi sila ay mga biktima,” Mayor Gualberto stressed.
He ended his speech with a call to everyone to unite and aspire for a common goal. “Sabay sabay pantay pantay, lahat aangat, San Fernando para sa lahat,” he said.
Tucso’s officers for 2017 are Carmelita Solis, president; Josie Apilado, vice president; Chanderella Belen, secretary; Nympha Collado, assistant secretary; Nida Balcita, treasurer; Ryda Dacumos, assistant treasurer; Marilyn Cunanan, auditor; Bonita Abaga, assistant auditor, Joan Agtos, Elisa Ragudo, Marietta Aquino, Brenda Ducusin, business managers; Miriam Andrada, Scarlet Bersamina, Venus Galvez, Elena Balanon; PROs; Myrna Asprin, Rosalie Nebab, Lilia Ramos, Marilyn Bautista, coordinators; Lorna Rondon, Cristina Corpuz, Mercy Joy Jack, Rea Joy Viluan, peace officers; Catherine Franco, La Union budget officer; adviser; Nida Balcita, co-founder.
