The League of Municipalities of the Philippines on Wednesday elected Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson as its new president.
Of the 1,400 LMP members, only 68 were able to attend and participate in choosing their president and the new set of officers via “viva vice” election held at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
Singson, who was nominated by his predecessor Socorro, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Ma. Fe Brondial, ran unopposed.
His assumption as new LMP president marked the first time in league’s history that a candidate for president faced no challenger from the 81 provincial chapter presidents representing the country’s more than 1,400 municipal mayors.
“This is a rare show of unity by our municipal mayors,” said Singson, who offered his vision to make the municipal local government units “innovative and enterprising.”
During the election, Singson was given an authority to choose the LMP’s new set of key officials—executive vice presidents, treasurer, public relation officer, business manager, legal council and auditor.
Among the new officers are Ma. Theresa Constantino (Malungon, Sarangani)—EVP for Operations; Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco (Liloan, Cebu)—EVP Visayas; Rey Buhisan (Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental)—EVP Mindanao; Franklin Lim (Santiago, Agusan del Norte)—Treaurer; Mary Jean Te (Libertad, Antique) Auditor.
Singson said he chose these officers because of their expertise and experiences, and most of them are lawyers.
In his speech, Singson said the LGUs cannot be too dependent on their internal revenue allotments for funds to finance their development projects. To do this, he said, town executives have to learn how to harness the corporate powers and abilities of the LGUs in the delivery of basic services.
“The overwhelming trust and confidence of his fellow mayors in me will all the more spur me to deliver the best services to all our municipalities all over the country,” he said.
Singson also released a list of his priority projects that he wants to accomplish, including education programs and installation of state-of-the-art connectivity to all municipalities, during his three year term.
He said the state-of-the-art connectivity linking all municipalities through public wi-fi will be offered for free by his company.
“This way even far flung towns will have direct connection with the national government agencies and easy access to information and data from all over the world.”
Singson owns one of the biggest telecommunication firm in the country in partnership with TierOne Communications.
Singson ascends to the LMP presidency as a seasoned political leader with more than 30 years experience in various capacities as Ilocos Sur governor, first district congressman, Vigan councilor and Narvacan municipal councilor.
He was President of the Philippine Councilors League from 2016 to 2019 and also served as Deputy National Security Adviser for then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Along with Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina, Singson was instrumental in making Vigan City one of the ‘New 7 Wonder Cities of the World.”
Under the local government code, the LMP has the following powers, functions and duties: assist the national government in the formulation and implementation of the policies, programs and projects affecting municipalities as a whole; promote local autonomy at the municipal level; adopt measures for the promotion of the welfare of all municipalities and its officials and employees; encourage people's participation in local government administration in order to promote united and concerted action for the attainment of country-wide development goals; supplement the efforts of the national government in creating opportunities for gainful employment within the municipalities; give priority to programs designed for the total development of the municipalities in consonance with the policies, programs and projects of the national government; serve as a forum for crystallizing and expressing ideas, seeking the necessary assistance of the national government, and providing the private sector avenues for cooperation in the promotion of the welfare of the municipalities and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as the league may prescribe for the welfare of the municipalities.
