Ifugao has new governor

BAGUIO CITY – Ifugao, home of the world famous Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a new governor. Glenn Prudenciano, former vice governor, was "silently" sworn into office on Oct. 26, in place of Benjamin Cappleman who died from a heart ailment on Oct. 23. Sworn in as vice governor is senior provincial board member Noli Maguiwe. Cappleman, 62, was an elementary school teacher for 13 years in Banaue. He started his political career in 1980 as Banaue mayor, a post he held for six years. He then served as governor for two terms. He then served as House representative for the lone district of Ifugao for three terms, before being elected again as governor in 2004. During his years as governor and as congressman, he set up social, cultural, and economic programs that helped the province develop. Prudenciano, the Philippine Information Agency in Ifugao said, vowed to keep doing what Cappleman started and revive programs that have been idle. Ifugao is no among the 20 poorest provinces, but Prudenciano said he would still push for more economic programs. Among Prudencio’s priorities are consulting district hospitals and villagers on the effects of calamities on provincial roads. Prudencio also wants to reactive the Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) to boost tourism. He dreams of a clean province especially tourist destinations like Banaue, Hungduan, Mayoyao, and Aguinaldo to improve their overall appeal in comparison with Sagada. Also targeted are the populated areas of Lamut, Lagawe, and Alfonso Lista. Prudenciano is also not new to governance. He started his political career as a councilor, to being the unchallenged and undefeated mayor of Alfonso Lista for three consecutive terms beofre being elected vice governor. - GMANews.TV