JUMAMOY |
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INABANGA,
Newly elected Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy could
be the youngest local chief executive to assume office
in the country at only 21 years old.
But
for Jono, who was elected via a landslide victory over
his opponent with over a margin of over 6,000 votes,
serving the people of his hometown comes as a great
responsibility even with his extensive exposure to local
politics and his academic preparations.
The US educated mayor-elect, son of Inabanga's former
mayors, graduated with a double degree in Management
and International Business at Northwood University in
West Palm Beach, Florida.
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While
Jumamoy admits he is a product of a political family, he says
his decision to come home and run for mayor in his hometown
came after finishing college in the US last November 2006.
In
fact, he disclosed, it was never an easy decision considering
he was able to secure a working permit in the States and a
position at the World Bank which he applied for was already
at hand.
"I
could have lived a simple without the hassles of politics
but I had to weigh my options," he said.
The
realization that his education and training in the US could
be a great asset if he comes home and, more so, if he will
be given a chance to serve in his hometown, came not because
his mother, incumbent Mayor Josephine Jumamoy was to end her
third term.
The
incumbent mayor ran and won as provincial board member in
Bohol's second congressional district.
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The
young Jumamoy bared that he "owes it to the people"
of Inabanga for being elected as their mayor. "When
you are 21-years old, to be mayor is a big responsibility."
In
fact, he was given a clear mandate with the election
of his entire slate, from the vice mayor down to his
eight candidates for councilor.
"I
would be able to handle the position well," Jumamoy
assured as he points out that growing up in a family
of politicians, he was exposed early to politics as
he was also a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) president of
Inabanga and vice president of the SK Bohol Federation
before leaving to study in the States.
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When
asked if his age would be a burden in running the affairs
of his town, Jumamoy explained "that's the drawback of
being young. You may not have the wisdom of an old man but
you do have the energy, the passion and the drive for change
and progress."
Jumamoy
knows people have different expectations from him. He recalls
during his campaign sorties in Inabanga's 50 barangays that
most folks used to tell him they still see him as that little
boy in tow with his father and mother, when both graced barangay
fiestas.
Even
his opponent in the elections exploited his age as an issue.
He said they tried to project him as immature and incapable
of handling the responsibilities of a town mayor.
But,
according to Jumamoy, the people instead took his youth as
an advantage.
"Qualifications
alone is not a guarantee that one can be a good public servant,"
he said, "one must have a heart for the people to be
a successful public servant."
His
mother, the incumbent mayor, remembered how the young Jono,
then an elementary student in Tagbilaran City, took money
from his piggy bank and bought a set of kitchen utensils which
was given to an old beggar he saw cooking food in a tin can.
PROGRAM
OF GOVERNANCE
The
new elected mayor said he will prioritize poverty reduction
in his town.
Inabanga,
which was recently elevated as a third class municipality,
is home to a flourishing raffia-weaving industry.
Jumamoy
said if they could tie-up with direct exporters of their finished
products, it would mean a growth in the livelihood of Inabanga's
grassroots who are involved in loom weaving.
Other
priorities are environmental rehabilitation, which the town
has started during the administration of the incumbent mayor,
improved health care program and population control.
Inabanga,
is the birthplace of Francisco Dagohoy, the Boholano who led
the Philippine's longest revolt against Spanish rule.
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