The man at the helm wants to be remembered the moment he is out of public service as one who has made a difference among those have served before him. That exactly is the current mantra of Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances as he entertains at least two options before vowing out as three-term mayor of this out of the way municipality. But the out- of- the- way Mabini situation may be a thing of the past sooner than expected with the development of the Anda corridor as another tourism haven. This will be realized as soon as the Ubay-Mabini-Candiday road access is set in motion. “Soon to be started” according to sources close to Gov. Erico Aumentado, prime mover of the ambitious project, Mabini will have at least two access from the Ubay and Candijay sides. Specifically, the giant project which will constitute Phase III of the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project will be known as Guindulman-Anda-Candijay via Cogtong then to La Union Candijay and to Union Ubay road span. Just as bullish as Mayor Rances about the prospect of Mabini as another key player in the tourism development of the Anda peninsula, Aumentado ‘s optimism was anchored on his track record in pushing big ticket projects. The Anda peninsula is being eyed by Bohol tourism planners as the next Panglao in terms of tourism destinations considering its own natural resources of pristine beaches. With the construction of a road network leading to Anda's hidden tourism allures through an access Mabini it won't be long that neighboring towns will benefit from the influx of tourists. Who would imagine that it was during Aumentado's term that the Bohol Circumferential Road Project Phase I and II is now a reality. Travel time around Bohol is now a breeze because of the governor's initiative to have the circumferential road fully concreted.

TWO OPTIONS

One option that Mayor Rances as his Last term in office stares him in the face is the possibility of sliding down to a lower position after wallowing in comfort as mayor for nine years. Eyeing to settle for the position of vice mayor in exchange of its current occupant Ester Tabigue-Fostanes, Mayor Rances is considering this option. The slide may be attributed to his desire to continue his focus on projects that have been started which still hangs in the balance. V-Mayor Fostanes is reported interested to run for mayor and Mayor Rances as the town's ruling party head is keen of endorsing her bid. Acting Provincial Engineer Edwin Vallejos was reported to be casting a moist eye of the Mabini mayoralty. Asked to comment of Vallejos posturing, the mayor said this remains to be a party decision. Mayor Rances said anything that concerns political positioning in the town is always contingent to party consensus and consultation. The possibility of running for board member is also considered but it will be for the ruling party to decide. But Mayor Rances appears comfortable with his decision to run for vice mayor. At least as second highest elected official of the town, he will be able to supervise the “baby-sitting” of unfinished projects like the waterworks system which he intends to finish before his term ends.

The waterworks system he is pushing is the completion of a facility that will serve barangays Poblacion ! and !!, Cawayanan and Tangkigan. Mayor Rances said if the Municipal Development Council and the Sangguniang Bayan will agree to his plan, a loan will be made from P15 million to P20 million to complete the water project. If an authority to enter a loan agreement is not possible, then Mayor Rances will be tapping other sources like funding support from Gov. Aumentado or Cong. Adam Relson Jala. As to the other barangays, majority of the 22 have their water systems and they are in the second line of improvement. Asked what tangible accomplishment he can show to the people of Mabini on a homecoming for the annual fiesta, Mayor Rances said that the road linking Mabini from Candijay junction is almost fully paved. About 200 meters of concreting job in the approach of the Cabidian Bridge is underway and it's a matter of time that it will be finished.

Mabini is also a recipient of the benevolence of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap in his bid to win the hearts and minds of the Mabini folks. Using DA funds, Yap released the amount of almost P29 million for a Small Water Impounding projects in barangays San Jose and San Rafael . The two projects will be bidded in Manila on May 10. The rice lands in the two barangays will benefit from the small irrigation facility. Another Yap project planned in Mabini is the Baybayon Fish Port. The DA is still making the feasibility project of the fish port facility.