by Noel Baguio
President Benigno Aquino’s recent visit to Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte reunited the political leaders of the province into one receiving party, four months after the May elections.
Local leaders from various political camps held a reunion of sorts when came together to welcome the president who was on a visit to a tribal housing project in sitio Talus, barangay San Jose and met with beneficiaries of the government’s Kalahi-CIDSS, 4Ps and SEA-K projects in Southern Mindanao.
Leading the pack o welcomes was Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, the only governor in the Davao region who supported the candidacy of President Aquino in the national elections last May.
Del Rosario expressed his satisfaction with the show of support of the local leaders.
He told President Aquino that the strong presence of the local leaders signified their unity and all-out support for the programs and projects of the president.
“Mr. President, the presence of our local officials today means that we are one in supporting all the programs and projects of your administration,” he said.
An hour before the president’s chopper touched down in Sitio Talus, the governor first paid a courtesy call at the municipal hall where he was welcomed by Mayor Maximo Estela.
It was the first time Gov. del Rosario and Mayor Estela got together since the election period.
The elections had put a dent on their relationship when the governor supported Estela’s rival for the mayorship.
Joining them later at the mayor’s office were district 1 Rep. Anton Lagdameo, mayors Rey Uy (Tagum City), Jose Silvosa (panabo City), Nestor Alcoran (New Corella), Lolital Moral (B.E Dujali), Edgardo Timbol (Kapalong), Mar Perandos (Carmen), Vice Mayor Al David Uy (IGaCoS) and provincial board members Daniel Lu and Shirley Aala, along with Compostela Valley’s Gov. Arthur Uy, Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya, and Laak’s Mayor Reynaldo Navarro.
The entire group later joined a motorcade sitio Talus to welcome the president.
