Misamis Occidental incumbents Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. and 2nd District Representative Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal launched their bids for reelection for the 2025 polls.
The two were accompanied by fellow reelectionists Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez and 1st District Representative Jason Almonte as they filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office in Oroquieta City.
In a statement, Gov. Oaminal expressed his excitement at the opportunity to maintain Misamis Occidental’s positive development for another term.
“As soon as we took this position, we immediately addressed peace and order in the province,” Oaminal emphasized, citing the average monthly crime rate’s decrease from 24.52% in 2016, down to 13.64% in the first half of 2024. This year, Misamis Occidental was also declared to be officially insurgency-free.
“Our Asenso Misamis platform believes that communities and citizens that are healthy, peaceful, and safe are the pillars of progress, and I can happily say we are actively making this a reality in Misamis Occidental,” he added.
One of Gov. Oaminal’s major initiatives for the province was the Free Hospitalization Program, which has helped more than 42,000 individuals in Misamis, with financial assistance exceeding P186.5 million.
The province also recently saw the opening of the Panguil Bay Bridge, a project proposed by Oaminal in his earliest days in congress more than ten years ago, which is now the longest sea-crossing bridge in Mindanao, which connects Misamis Occidental to Lanao del Norte, cutting down travel time between the two from more than two hours, down to 7 minutes.
Rep. Ando Oaminal shared in his father’s optimism that Misamisnons will give them the chance to continue their service. “We believe that as long as we continue to do our best – from being their effective voice in congress, to ensuring that their needs are provided – we’ll continue earning the trust of Misamisnons,” he said.
“We are grateful for the privilege to serve, and we want to continue delivering achievements to Misamis Occidental,” Rep. Oaminal added.
The Oaminal administration in Misamis Occidental and the local government units began its 5Ms development thrust and platform for the province in 2022. The 5Ms, or Misamisnon Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambuon ug Malipayon (Misamisnon Live Peacefully, Prosperously, and Happily), encapsulate the direction of the programs and initiatives of the local administration for Misamis Occidental.
