By Jessica M. Bacud
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba, wife of Cagayan Governor Manuel N. Mamba, has revealed her eight- point legislative agenda that banks on good governance to respond to the needs of residents “rigorously and opportunely” in the 3rd district of Cagayan.
“As soon as I filed my certificate of candidacy, I lost no time in consulting with my future constituents. I will be the voice of the district when I become Congressman and hence my legislative agenda should come from the people,” lawyer Mamba said.
During her visit and consultations in the 3rd legislative district, Mamba voiced her eight-point legislative agenda, namely: 1) #MABELisangLunas para sa Sektor ng Kalusugan (Health); 2) #MABELisangAksyon para sa Kabataan at Edukasyon (Youth and Education); 3) #MABELisangSagot para sa Sektor ng Agrikultura (Agriculture); 4) #MABELisangPagbuo para sa Infrastructure Development (Infrastructure Development);
5) #MABELisangAksyon para sa Kalakas at Komersyo (Trade and Commerce); 6) #MABELisangSolusyon para sa Labor at Social Services (Labor and Social Services); 7) #MABELisangPagtugon para sa Local Governance at People Empowerment (Local Governance and People Empowerment); 8) #MABELisangAksyon para sa Turismo, Kultura, at Sining (Tourism, Arts and Culture).
“We need to safeguard the health of individuals or the populace,” Mamba stressed, as ensuring the health and well-being of all “is essential to poverty eradication efforts.”
Also, hospitals and health centers in the district “must be up to the task. Good health improves people’s wellbeing as it is central to human happiness and comfort. It also makes an important contribution to economic growth as it improves life opportunities.”
This she considered as the number one priority among her measures.
She also said: “We need to protect our farmlands and food-producing areas, which would prevent destructive developments and exploitation of land areas to the point of risking our food security.”
“In the development of infrastructure, we make sure to provide quality, safe, and environment-friendly public infrastructure facilities that is not substandard that will improve the life of every Cagayano.”
“Furthermore, we will usher programs that may strengthen the labor sector, and such undertaking will emerge as a key instrument in poverty reduction efforts,” she said.
Mamba said she would address concerns and balance the interests of the labor sector and give recognition to the workforce for their contributions to society.
“Governance is most effective when these processes are participatory, accountable, transparent, efficient, and inclusive. Progress is not solely seen through the growth curve of a locality but also in giving importance to our culture and through tourism,” she said.
Mamba stressed the need to boost tourism and the history and traditions of the local community and in turn that community feels a stronger solidarity and sense of pride in its cultural history.
Mamba comes from a prominent family in Marilao, Bulacan. A product of the University of the Philippines, she served as Vice Mayor in her hometown.
She became the first lady National President of the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCI) with 300 chapters across the country and was chosen as the “Most Outstanding JCI Senator” in the country.
Mamba was conferred with “Most Outstanding Community Project” in Asia Pacific and across the globe for her project “Beyond Prison Walls.”
In 1998, she was appointed by former President Joseph Estrada as the Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs that is on par with a Cabinet Secretary. Her program, “Responsible Students for Active Governance,” was awarded as the “Most Outstanding Youth Program’ in Asia Pacific and across the globe.
In the same office, she worked out TB-DOTS Scouts in partnership with the Provincial Health Office of Cagayan that aimed to treat patients with tuberculosis.
Aside from being the CEO of the National Youth Commission, she was Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the year 2000. She was given a recognition as “Most Outstanding Youth Program” for her “Youth Smoking Prevention Program” and “Water for Life” as “Most Outstanding Community Project” in Asia Pacific at and the whole world.
After serving her three terms at the NYC, Philip Morris recruited her as the Community Relations Manager and was later promoted to Government Relations Manager. She was awarded the “President’s Award,” “Leaf Person of the Year” and “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” while with the tobacco giant.
Mamba has undertaken numerous projects in Cagayan like donation of school buildings, school desk, books, medical mission and backing the tobacco farmers before she served as Board Member of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in 2010. She was able to put up a PCSO office in Cagayan.
“We have distributed ambulances in the different municipalities that were not given during the first batch, and initiated the Medicine Donation Program and scholarship program as PCSO Director,” she said.
The “Oplan Tulong,” which she initiated in Cagayan, has helped families who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am always here to support the governor making my services accessible to every Cagayano for the development of the province,” she added.
