AFTER a week of being in limbo, Vice Mayor Leonora Wong has officially assumed the local chief executive post of San Simon town in Pampanga on Monday, July 12.
This came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government formally served the six-month suspension order of Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. last Friday, July 9.
During the flag raising ceremony, Wong reminded fellow local government officials and employees of the core values that must be possessed by public servants to deliver efficient service.
“During my nine years as mayor, we were able to instill the core values of good and efficient public servants such as having commitment, dedication and integrity on our work and now that I am tasked to lead our town again albeit temporarily, I hope to revive the same values plus the character of focus and resiliency on each of us,” she said.
She also mentioned of the reinstitution of the Fast, Effective, Accountable, Simple and Transparent (Feast) program, which has been the trademark of her administration.
“A good local government must start with its employees. If we have efficient leaders and workers, we can create good projects which be beneficial and will uplift the lives of the people, and boost the economy of the municipality,” she said.
Meanwhile, Wong said that she will re-launch the programs that were conducted monthly by the local government, especially those related to health.
These include operation “tuli” and free Pap smear in every barangay and the revival of the hypertensive and diabetic club, and awareness program on HIV, among others.
“My focus will be on health, especially on our Covid-19 response, and also disaster preparedness since the rainy season is fast approaching,” she said.
Wong also assured the continuity of all ongoing projects of Punsalan, including the municipal hall annex and the community hospital, provided that there is available funds for their construction.
“As of now, I have not seen the remaining budget but I can assure that I will maximize whatever we have with worthwhile projects and programs,” she said.
Wong will serve as acting mayor until January 22, roughly four months before the May 2022 national and local elections.
Punsalan’s suspension came after the Provincial Board found him and five other councilors guilty of dishonesty, grave misconduct in office, gross negligence in the performance of official duties, gross dereliction of duty and grave abuse of authority when they purchased a parcel of land near the municipal hall in 2020.
He willingly complied with the suspension order but maintained his innocence on the accusations thrown at him.
