PICC (Panglao Island Community Center) was the setting of “Candidates’ Forum” showcasing the mayorables of the Island Municipality. Of the two who gamely graced the occasion, Dr. Evangeline Bon-Lazaro (EBL) was sturdy in soft-spoken candidness, while Mrs. Leonila Montero was a good communicator. Both Ladies “did not hit below the belt,” to use the words of an observer from Tagbilaran City. The project was spearheaded by the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the fourth of its kind, as an advocacy for a well-informed electorate. The first three (Tubigon Cultural Center, University of Bohol and Holy Name Gymnasium) were a tremendous success, gleaned from the capacity crowds who thronged to the venues, and the positive feedbacks that still keeps pouring in to date. Covered live by radio stations DYRD-ZD and DYTR, and replayed occasionally, the Forums reached hundreds of thousands of Boholanos. Although Vangie Lazaro is not a stage-veteran, she came out credible and well-appreciated in her simplicity as she endeavored to get across to her listeners. A couple of days before the March 21 Forum, Dr. Lazaro was my guest for an interview in “Nangutana Lang” (DYRD-ZD, 6:30 – 7:00 PM daily except Sunday), where she expounded the reasons for seeking the position of Chief Executive of Panglao, the senses that she has the capacity to do more for her beloved hometown. These are excerpts from that interview on March 19, a Monday.

LMP: Who is Vangie Lazaro?

EBL: I am Dr. Evangeline Bon-Lazaro. I was born in Panglao where I spent my elementary years at Tangnan Elementary School, and at San Agustin Academy for my secondary education. In college, I enrolled at Southwestern University in Cebu City for my Pre-Medicine course and proceeded to the Cebu Institute of Medicine. I finished my training specialization in Ob-Gyne at V. Luna Medical Center (now Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center). I practiced my profession in Manila for more than 30 years.

LMP: You have a very solid foundation, as far as your medical profession is concerned. But what we are going to tackle now is about politics. Where does the inclination come from... your entry to politics?

EBL: Politics is already in my blood since the very beginning. My late father Perfecto Bon was a former Vice Mayor of Panglao 50 years ago. Our brother, Toribio “Bo” Bon, also became a public servant as a one-termer Mayor and Vice Mayor of the Municipality. Then, a sibling Alex Bon is a Councilor of Pantukan, Davao del Norte. The inclination to serve others is a family trait.

LMP: So, your entry to politics is not new to you all this time. You are already a fulfilled woman, as a wife and a mother. Can you tell us about your family?

EBL: My husband comes from Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya. He is an Ilocano. We have three children. Our eldest is a Doctor, a specialist in Ear, Nose, Throat, Head, and Neck Surgery. Next is a Nurse, practicing in the United States. The youngest is a Doctor, an Ob-Gyne Specialist. Actually, our two children who are Doctors are practicing here in Tagbilaran. I encouraged them to come home so that they could help our fellow Boholanos, especially the Panglaoanons.

LMP: Was that also one of the reasons why you came back to Panglao inorder to help the people on their health care needs?

EBL: Actually, it was not yet time for me to come back. But our incumbent Mayor asked for my support because he knew I could do something for the Municipality. So, I came back here three years ago as his running mate. To help Panglao.

LMP: In your almost three years as a Vice Mayor, what have you done for the people of Panglao?

EBL: In my capacity as Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Bayan, I am proud to present the Ordinances we passed for the Municipality. We have contributed 13 Ordinances. One of these is the establishment of a Birthing Center in Lourdes, Panglao. It caters to the normal and uncomplicated delivery of pregnant mothers. Actually, it has long been mandated by the Department of Health that each barangay should have one, but it was only realized last October 2011 in Panglao. Another Ordinance is the Environmental Users Fee (EUF). We collect fees from the tourists both local and foreign through a token. But what happened is, the implementing rules did not compliment the said Ordinance. It was stopped for more than a year because there were provisions not followed, like for example, the charging per dive in the diving sites in Panglao. The understanding of the tourists was that, the fee must be in a package not on individual basis. The interpretation of the ordinance became a problem but it is already solved now.

LMP: Does it follow that the Executive body did not interpret it the way the Sangguniang Bayan construed it?

EBL: There was a confusion on the implementation, that is why the complainants had the basis. What we did was to amend the provisions of the Ordinance, so that it would not be in conflict with the implementing rules. There are minor problems until now but we are still working on it. One of their concerns at present is, why is it that the fees collected are deposited in the general fund, when the ordinance clearly stated that it should be placed in a trust fund solely for environmental protection? We, in the Sangguniang Bayan, insisted that it should be transferred because there is a possibility the money will be used for other projects not intended for the environment.

LMP: Almost three years ago, you were in tandem with the present Mayor of Panglao. But in the forthcoming election May 2013, both of you are contenders of the same position. What happened?

EBL: A lot of people also asked me about that. At first, I have observed that my expectations for the development of the Panglao, which was the reason why I came back, are not realized. I want a transparent type of governance. I would not deny the fact that the present administration does not exercising transparency. The basic needs and services that are supposed to be for the people are not given to them, inspite of the fact that there are laws for that.

LMP: What is the number one problem of Panglao nowadays?

EBL: Our number one problem is water. Actually, there was an offer from Maynilad, a very reputable company that provides water in Metro Manila. We passed a resolution allowing them to conduct a feasibility study. But the Mayor disapproved it because there is another company from Cebu that he wanted to be the one to handle the water utilities in Panglao. But we, in the Sanggunian are not in favor, because they must have to undergo the procedure from feasibility study and then, bidding.

LMP: What are your plans in order to solve the problem, if you will become Mayor?

EBL: We will retain the existing local water utility system. Then, we invite investors that cansustain the needs of the Municipality. It should be done in the process of transparency, and we must consult the people.

LMP: Let’s talk about education. We believe that the economy of a nation would depend upon the education of the children who will later on become leaders. How is the educational setting in Panglao?

EBL: First of all, education is the vehicle to progress. The educational system in Panglao needs the support of the local government. My plan is to re-invent the local School Board. Meaning, we will expand the membership, so that all sectors of the society is represented. The local School Board has the power to give authority to the Mayor in the disbursements of the Special Education Fund. The said fund is a contribution of the people through their taxes. For example, I pay P30,000 but my actual tax is only 15,000. It was doubled for the educational funding.

LMP: Is that something that is legislated, or a national law?

EBL: It is a law. It is clearly stated that the Special Education Fund must be given to the schools in the local government. Its usage is to improve the school buildings, for the support of the out-of-school youths in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), etc. But only P25,000 is released every year, which is very insufficient.

LMP: Where did the money go?

EBL: The Local Board is not doing its responsibility in the disbursements of funds because they are afraid to execute their power. The fund is intended for education alone, but what happened is, for example, the money allocated for the Girl and Boy Scouts, are not given. The parents and teachers have to do fund-raising in order to contribute to the needed budget.

LMP: Is that one of the reasons that you are inspired to run as Mayor?

EBL: Yes, because I want to give the Panglaoanons a new beginning and put everything in order. What has been allocated for the people must be given to them.

LMP: I know you as a person; you would like to place things in their proper perspectives all the time. What is you parting words?

EBL: To my fellow Panglaoanons, the progress and prosperity of our Municipality lies in your hands. We must choose a leader who is committed to serve the people and one that provides genuine services. Join me in a crusade for Panglao’s future.

Dr. Vangie Lazaro left her lucrative medical practice as an Ob-Gyne in Metro Manila. Three years ago when enticed to come to Bohol to be a public servant, she was convinced it was time for her to pay-back to her beloved Municipality the many good things she imbibed and assimilated as a student in Tangnan Elementary School and San Agustin Academy. Although she has gone all over the country and in many places in the globe, there is still no place like home. Even her husband and children (two of them who are also Doctors decide to practice their profession here) are convinced that Panglao is their home. They are needed here because of their expertise. And while they are around, they are determined to make Panglao a better place to live in.

(Website: www.loypalapos.com; email: loy.pal@gmail.com; cellphone: 09498345957