I joined print journalism in 2003 and politics has always been a daily topic for us. I’ve heard of Garins, especially OCA Sr., but as a newbie, I never had a deep interest in the First District politicians’ issues, because I grew up in Jaro. Thus, during my time, it has been the Gonzalezes, Malabors, Ganzons, comes the rise of Trenas and Mabilog specifically, whom I got the chance to personally interview and feature in my column at Sun.Star Weekend, prior to when he won as the first councilor of Iloilo City.

I just didn’t have any idea I would be marrying a Miagaoanon and that when I transferred residency in this town, the Nobles and the Flores were the most trusted parents / alternating Mayors of the First Class Municipality, that my husband got the chance to run under their party as Sangguniang Bayan. Apparently, majority of them, lost for the first time in history in 2013! Everyone was speechless or mum that time with the turns of events in Miagao politics that favored the party Garins supported. Much when, it was like a revolt campaign when Oscar Richard Garin Jr., a native of Guimbal, moved to Miagao and run as Mayor in 2022, who also won despite I could say, one of the toughest and full of controversies campaigns, with slogans like, “Miagao is for Miagaoanon.”

As for me and my husband, despite the lost of our party, it’s always our mantra to respect the electoral process and observe how the elected politicians work. With that, I mean, what will be the changes or the difference in the quality of public service compared to before, may it be in health, livelihood , education, infrastructure, benefiting the people, etc.

Three years of close watch and we’ve seen many evident projects I couldn’t even fully elaborate, starting with the most vital– concreted roads even to the farthest barangays, visibly for me, the renovation of the SK Gym, which multiple times, I cursed on social media its slovenly appearance due to the presence of unattended garbage in the surrounding. The finally, utilized public market which has been left unfinished for more than six years since it was first constructed. The now rehabilitated and airconditioned JRBB Hall- the biggest and the only cultural center of Miagaonon that stands as witness to the people’s historic events, which used to be time-worn and has not even undergone minor repairs for God’s sake, mosquitos bourgeoning at the back with its make-up room’s neglected ceiling that poses danger or worst, floor’s even flooding on rainy days. The most recently transformed Miagao Plaza, which is now called “People’s Center,” with high roof and can now be benefited by the people in sports, school occasions, simple Zumba, and other community programs, regardless of the weather.

The above-mentioned projects, and others that I said I couldn’t state here as there are more, completed in a three-year-term are solid proofs that we have a Mayor who is obviously observing, willing to walk the talk, and strives to serve and give more to the people despite the consistent criticism. The current and the approved on going projects as Garin Jr. serves his second term used to be mere hopes and wishes at the back of the people’s head, and I know they’ve been waiting for a leader who could make the impossible possible. Thus, Mayor Richard Garin Jr., moves to Miagao, at the right time, when help is called for, or when romanticism and conceit could only hinder positive development that Miagaoanons fairly deserve.

For when no natives could selflessly stand heroic, answering the buried concerns of the people, why do we keep on scrutinizing those who pay attention? Why should we settle for less? Enough said.