Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy bared to Edge Davao that he and Vice President Sara Duterte talked following the vice president’s recent pronouncement that there are now only two members of the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP).
In a press conference last month, the vice president bared that she and Uy were the only remaining members of HNP.
Uy said he requested an audience with the vice president and discussed his plans and the direction of Samal.
“Nag-request ako ng audience sa kanya (VP Sara) and I was thankful na she granted my request because I know she is very busy. Nag-usap kami kung ano ang plano ko and ano ang direction ng Samal and of course kung ano pa yung puwedeng maitulong niya kasi in spite of the limited budget ni VP pero nakakatulong rin naman siya. Kahit na nga limited pero nafi-feel namin ang assistance ni VP Sara through the Office of the Vice President (OVP),” Uy said.
Uy said during their talk, the vice president advised him to serve his constituents.
“And to give what is really due for them since public service is a public trust. Dili nato pakyason ang nagasalig sa atoa,” he said.
Uy filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for board member of Davao del Norte.
He said he would run as an independent in the 2025 midterm local and national elections.
“In 2016 I ran as an independent and ngayon din. Yung position ng board member, unlike the mayor which is an executive position and you really need a direct line from the top. As a board member, I think okay lang, whether my party ka o wala when you run for a board member position,” Uy said.
Meanwhile, Uy reiterated the continuing power woes on the island and is hopeful that the power concern will be addressed by the national government soon.
“Isa sa mga kinahanglan pa sa Samal really needs the help from the national government for the power needs of the island. Kasi ang tulay naa naman nakita na nato. Yung kuryente na lang at yung franchise ng Nordeco and Davao Light, yan ang nakabinbin ngayon sa Congress,” Uy said.
Uy is hopeful for the passage of the Congress last month of the committee report on the substitute bill for the expansion of the franchise area of the Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) to several parts of Davao del Norte on the third and final reading.
The Davao Consumer Movement lauded last month the passage of the committee report on the substitute bill for the expansion of the franchise area of the Davao Light to several parts of Davao del Norte.
DCM stated that after an hour of deliberation on September 27, 2024, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Wilter Palma made the move to approve the committee report. This was seconded by Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario.
“Hopefully, ma-push natin. Yun na lang talaga ang kailangan natin dito sa Samal. Once makorek na ang power, ma-korek na rin ang kuryente at yung internet. At ang promise natin when I became mayor in 2016, the bridge is there already, the roads are there, yung kuryente na lang and once ma korek na ang power, in place na ang infrastructure para kung sino man ang sumunod na mayor, it would be easier for them,” Uy said.
