Lingayen’s new mayor sets review of town funds
LINGAYEN—The new mayor of this capital town, former Vice Mayor Edith Hallare, is on a mission to clear up the municipality’s financial standing as she admitted that there is an amount unaccounted for.
“Totoong may nawawalang pera sa kaban po ng bayan ng Lingayen,” said Hallare, who took over as mayor on March 18 following the death of Mayor Ernesto Castañeda Jr. on March 16 due to illness.
Hallare said an investigation is now underway and she has yet to determine how much is left of the P147million budget for 2013.
At the same time, Hallare clarified that her request for the list of the municipality’s personnel and staff is not intended to dismiss some employees.
“As the mayor, I should be aware of the personnel and staff of the municipality. My purpose for asking for the list is to review their appointments and place them in a department where they can be effective,” Hallare said during a press conference on March 25.
She also dismissed criticisms that she was eager to take the post even before Castañeda’s remains could be buried.
“Yung mga issue na binabato sa’kin bakit daw ako umupo agad bilang Mayor ng Lingayen e andyan pa ang bangkay ni Mayor ay alinsunod sa ating batas so gusto man natin o hindi, by operation of law, ay andon yung rule of succession. Talagang kelangan pong mag-operate ang ating munisipyo para di maantala ang transaksyon sa bayan ng Lingayen,” Hallare explained.
“Despite our moment of mourning, matters concerning the function and transactions of each office in the municipality should not be set aside,” she added.
PROJECTS
Meanwhile, the new mayor listed the priority projects for her two remaining months in office before the May 13 election.
These are a thorough physical clean-up of the Lingayen Public Market and the Municipality Hall and strengthening the collection of business permit taxes to raise funds for projects, particularly for the development of the agriculture sector.
Meanwhile, the new vice mayor, under the law, is Councilor Benedict Evangelista who garnered the most number of votes in the last election.–Johanne R. Macob
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