‘CURE TO MISERIES’: TEAM SULONG GUGMA VOWS TO WORK ON THE CURE FOR ILOILO CITY’S AGONIES

Hidden behind Iloilo City’s vibrant cityscape are deep-seated societal ills that prevent the majority of Ilonggos from truly benefiting from the so-called progress.

This is the reason why Team Sulong Gugma, led by House Deputy Majority Leader and Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda and former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, along with former Councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” and the 10 councilor aspirants, are offering a better choice of leaders that would champion policies to cure the people’s miseries.

Burdened by nearly PHP4 billion in loans that triggered a staggering 300% increase in Real Property Tax (RPT), Iloilo City recorded the country’s second-highest inflation rate in December 2024 at 5.4%. To alleviate this crisis, its residents need urgent relief through people-centered, responsive, transformational, sustainable, and visionary programs — embodied in the acronym GUGMA: Good Urban Governance and Meaningful Advocacies.

“In 2019, I championed HOPE, which stands for Health, Obra, Peace and Order, Education. In 2022, I added Housing, OFW Welfare, Projects for Preparedness, and Environmental Regeneration to the advocacies I advance in the halls of Congress,” said Rep. Jam-Jam Baronda.

“This time, I will exert extra effort to ensure that everything we have started under the governance of HOPE will be fully realized. These will help cure the cancer gripping the depressed barangays of the city. Cancer of joblessness. Cancer of high cost of living. Cancer of lack of social services and health services,” she added.

Former Councilor Love-Love Baronda, who is now running for vice mayor, vowed to be her sister’s partner in addressing the societal ills gripping Iloilo City.

“I have a proven track record of delivering on my promises. When I served the City Council for 9 years, I authored 91 ordinances and 960 resolutions. And I will help address the problems faced by the Ilonggos and help bring about jobs, business, and housing. I will work hard to achieve these with L.O.V.E. — LEADERSHIP with good governance through OPEN collaboration, VALUING people’s participation, and EMPOWERING communities,” she stressed.

She also emphasized that BDP-FORCE-GMZ will remain independent and committed to checks and balances in local governance.

“We will not be dictated upon. We will not obstruct just for the sake of opposition. BDP-FORCE-GMZ will always ensure a vibrant system of checks and balances between the executive and the legislature,” she said.

“We will say yes to measures that would help address poverty and benefit or uplift the lives of our people,” she added.

Former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, the group’s campaign manager, said the new and returning faces in the City Council under the Team Sulong Gugma slate offer fresh perspectives and would push for advocacies that are direly needed to help cure the sufferings of the Ilonggos.

The councilors and their advocacies include:

• Dr. Von Deveza – Healthcare System Strengthening & Mental Health
• Atty. Kesha Pesina Tupas – Traffic Management and Public Transport Modernization and Women Empowerment
• Stanley Flores – Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation
• Peter Oñate – Affordable Housing and Urban Poor Resettlement
• GM Ariete Ramos – Economic Support for Small Businesses and MSMEs
• Jun Capulot – Anti-illegal drugs, Anti-corruption, Cultural Heritage Preservation and Inclusive Tourism
• Jose “Mor” Espinosa IV – Sustainable Waste Management and Environmental Protection; PWD and Senior Citizens
• Atty. R. Leone “Boots” Gerochi – Transparent and Accountable Governance
• Sheen Marie Mabilog – Education and Youth Development
• Bryant Zulueta – Job Creation and Livelihood Opportunities

“Ang aton syudad nagasuprer subong nga dako nga problema. Ang nagtimbook nga utang nga naglab-ot na sa PHP3.8 billion kag madugangan pa sang PHP2.4 billion para sa socialized housing project nga may sangkad lang sang 12 sq. meters kada unit. Gani, nagtaas ang Real Property Tax (RPT) sang 300%, nagdulot sang pagsaka sang inflation rate nga nagadala sang pinakamataas nga presyo sang balaklon sa bilog nga Pilipinas,” Rep. Baronda explained.

“Ang solusyon sa pihak sa sining gina-antus sang pumuluyo amo ang pagpataas sang basura fee, sari-sari store fee, business permits fee, Office of the Building Official fee, kag parking fee nga wala pa opisyal nga resibo. Pero indi kita magpabaya! May Sulong Gugma kita! May ginpili kita ka mga eksperto nga maka-atender sang cancer nga nagapa-antus sa mga Ilonggo,” Love-Love Baronda said.

“Mahimo masolusyunan sang Team Sulong Gugma ini nga mga problema paagi sa matinlo kag matuod-tuod nga panggobyerno, kag pagpakig-angot sa pumuluyo. I-SULONG ta ang GUGMA!” she added.

Atty. John Mallare, spokesperson of Team Sulong Gugma, said that to avoid traffic congestion and bring inconvenience to the public, their slate will start the official campaign period for local candidates by hearing Mass. They would then go around the barangays of the city and be with the suffering people. (ADV)