Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya—Vice Governor Jose Tomas Sr. said he will set aside his monthly salary for the benefit of the poor in the province.
Tomas, also the Chief Executive Officer of the Tam-an Multi-Purpose Cooperative, made history as the first indigenous Ifugao to become vice governor of Nueva Vizcaya and presiding officer of the 10th session of the province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
He recently presided over the provincial board’s inaugural session, which tackled the election of committee chairmanships, among others.
Tomas said his monthly salary, along with his son’s take as an executive assistant, will be reserved for his assistance to the poor. It was unclear if he would still draw an income from the TMPC.
“Thank you for those who came and supported me. I am asking our fellow Novo Vizcayanos to unite and work despite our political differences. We should move on and work as one for the development of our province,” he said.
While he was “disgusted” with the turnout of the election of SP committee chairmanships, Tomas said he respects the rule of the majority.
The vice governor belongs to the National Unity Party, a rival of Governor Carlos Padilla’s Nacionalista Party. Tomas beat NP candidate Lambert Galima by over 6,000 votes.
“My heart is bleeding because I was expecting that chairmanship election should be based on expertise, passion, and profession, but again, we should follow the rule of the majority,” he added.
Tomas said he will work with Padilla for the development and progress of the province with “motivation, challenge, and passion” under his cooperativism advocacy, “Let Us Build a Better Future Together.”
Indigenous people in the province have also committed their help for his quest for a better Nueva Vizcaya, he added.
“Our fellow IP leaders have promised to bring in their help such as coffee, and ‘kamote’ (sweet potato), among others for our snacks. Let us live simply and help others,” Tomas said.