Feature: Aklan has 6 first-termer mayors
by Venus G. Villanueva
Kalibo, Aklan (29 June) -- The province of Aklan has 6 first-termer mayors elected during the May 10, 2010 automated elections.
Most of these incoming mayors have taken their oaths of office already while others are holding theirs today, like incoming Kalibo Mayor William Lachica and incoming Numancia Mayor Adolfo M. Iligan.
Two of these six first-termer mayors are actually come-backing, like Mayor Denny D. Refol of Altavas, who, after earlier completing his three terms, rested and then ran for mayor again in the recent elections; and Balete Mayor Teodoro V.Calizo, who won for a fresh term after completing three terms. In between, his sister, Noeme C. Cordero ran, won and served as mayor of Balete.
The other four - the real first termers even as they have served the public under other positions, are William Lachica of Kalibo, Adolfo Iligan of Numancia,Wilbert Ariel Igoy of Malinao and John Yap of Malay.
Based on the profile compiled by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office, Region 6 composed of the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental has a total of 59 first termers - 3 for province, 1 for highly-urbanized city; 9 for component cities and 46 for municipalities.
For second termers, the region has a total of 57 - 3 for province; 4 for component cities and 50 for municipalities. Third termers are 23 - 1 for highly-urbanized city; 1 for component city and 21 for municipalities.
Per province, Aklan has 6 first termers; 7 second termers and 5 third termers. Capiz has 11 1st termers; 6 second termers and 2 third termers while Iloilo has 22 first termers, 15 second termers and 8 third termers.
On the other hand, Antique has 11 first termers, 6 second termers and 2 third termers. Guimaras has 2 first termers, 3 second termers and 1 third termer; and Negros Occidental, 8 first termers, 15 second termers and 3 third termers.
According to the DILG, there are 39 newly "minted" local officials in the region - 1 governor; 1 HUC Mayor, 6 for component city and 31 municipal mayors.
Of the 1,456 elective officials in the region, 818 are newly elected and 638 are reelected. 13% of the elected officials are College level while 66% are College Graduates. 15% have Post Graduate Degrees; 3% are Vocational course graduates, 2 % are High School level and Elementary, 1%.
Women elected to positions comprised only 20% of the total number of local officials - out of 1,456 officials, 292 are women and 1,185, men. The province of Iloilo had the highest number of women elected to office, with 102 positions occupied by women out of the total of 449 positions, according to DILG 6. (PIA) [top]