By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—The elected Sangguniang Panlalawigan member from this town said he will focus on social services program and infrastructure projects.
Engr. Aladin Santos, the lone candidate who won in the second district not from the Marcos party, said he “would love to be a part of the committee on social services if given the chance to choose as he wanted to support the governor’s program helping and addressing the needs of those less fortunate”.
Mr. Santos added that he also wants to become part of the provincial board’s committee on infrastructure being an engineer by profession.
He also showed interests on becoming a part of the economic development of the province.
He disclosed that he wants to share the secret of the San Nicolas municipal government, which is a local government unit not solely dependent on its internal revenue allotment (IRA) share but rather on the revenues derived from this town’s booming business sector.
Helping the agricultural sector
The neophyte board member also wants to revisit the price of agricultural products in Ilocos Norte.
In his visit to Brgys. Barangobong and Ugis in Nueva Era, he personally witnessed the struggle of farmers who toil everyday in their farms but are not getting the proper prices for their produce.
Mr. Santos cited specifically their pepper [sili] products, which they sell to traders at PHP8 per kilogram. The traders then sell their produce with market prices ranging from PHP200-300 per kilogram.
He stressed that he wants to correct this at the provincial board by studying the issue with his colleagues and find the best government intervention to help the farmers earn more from their toils.
He added that he also wants to help in further improving the provincial government’s farm-to-market road projects.
From Sangguniang Bayan to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Mr. Santos completed three terms as San Nicolas Sangguniang.
He first run for a provincial board seat in 2016 but he lost.
In this year’s midterm elections, however, he finished fifth for the second district.
With bigger service scope and greater responsibilities, Mr. Santos said he wants to bring the government closer to the people and to help the provincial government invite more investors and business in the province.
He emphasized that people in the province should also learn to embrace the industrialization that progress brings.
Minority member
As he won without the backing of the Marcoses, Mr. Santos said his work and his minority member status will not affect his work as a provincial legislator.
He, instead said that he will cross party lines if it is for the good and betterment of the people of Ilocos Norte.
“Kasla iti maysa aramen wennu luto, naim-imas met laeng no adda maisagpaw. Kayat na sawen kasla mangpa pintas met iti maysa a gakat wennu paglintegan no maikkan met iti sagpaw na. Ta saanak to pulos a mangipawil wennu mang kontra iti anyaman a gakat pagsayaatan laket iti kaadwan ken mangpapintas pay iti probinsya tayo,” Mr. Santos emphasized.