STO. Tomas Mayor Gloria “Ninang” Ronquillo wants to serve anew Tomasians with a vision of leading the municipality toward a more progressive new normal.
Ronquillo, along with her whole slate, filed her certificate of candidacy on Monday morning, October 4, to seal her bid for reelection in the coming May 2022 polls.
Her runningmate is former councilor Jhong Naguit, while candidates for councilor are Anne Garcia, Mark Louie Arceo, Gel Euperio, Dhanzky Aniciete, Wilma Nunag, Jhenree Canlas, Nicolas David, and Manny Naguit.
If reelected, Ronquillo said her top priority is implementation of projects and programs that will fast-track the recovery of the municipality from the ongoing pandemic.
“Alam naman natin na halos nine months lang kaming naglingkod doon sa old normal kaya gusto natin bumawi at pag-igihan pa ang pagseserbisyo sa tao para sabay-sabay na makarecover mula sa pandemic,” she said.
Included in the eyed post-pandemic recovery program of Ronquillo is the invitation of more investors into the municipality, which would equate to additional job opportunity to Tomasians and tax collection to the local government.
She also cited the ongoing construction of the Philippine National Railway station in Barangay Sto. Niño Sapa, and North Luzon Expressway interchange in Barangay Sto. Rosario Pau which, when both opened, are expected to further spur development in the municipality.
“Sa ngayon, marami na ang nabakunahan sa ating mga kababayan at by 2022, siguradong mas dadami pa ito kaya inaasahan natin na mas handa na ang lahat sa better normal,” Ronquillo said.
Aside from the post-pandemic recovery program, Ronquillo said she is also bound to continue and improve the other programs for education, infrastructure, agriculture and health sector implemented during her term.
As the town’s first woman mayor, Ronquillo spearheaded programs that provided livelihood to women, increased the monthly pension of senior citizen, and cleaning and declogging of water tributaries and canals to mitigate flooding, among others.
Ronquillo also braved the virus despite being a senior citizen to ensure the efficient vaccination program in town, and deliver the needed assistance of her townmates.
“Gusto kong iboost ang morale nila, na kahit mahirap ang buhay ngayon, may pag-asa pa rin ang bukas kaya talagang lumalabas ako at umiikot halos araw-araw,” she said.
Meanwhile, vice-mayoral aspirant Naguit expressed full support to the administration of Ronquillo if elected as the Municipal Council presiding officer.
“Napakaimportante ng suporta ng SB para maideliver ni Mayora (Ronquillo) ang mga proyekto para sa mga Tomasians at mas mapapadali ito kung kasangga niya ang vice mayor,” he said.
He also vowed to continue serving Tomasians via social programs, which he was doing even without public position.
