Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap called on his constituents Monday for a united Tagbilaran and if possible the entire province of Bohol. Speaking during the 47th Tagbilaran City Charter Day and oath taking ceremony of the newly elected officials for 2013-2016 last Monday at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, Mayor Yap assured cooperation with the provincial government as he centered his message on the unity of the two local governments. Billed as a historic event, the occasion also saw the swearing in of V-Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso and members of the Sangguniang Panglungsud. During the same occasion, Mayor Yap pledged to support the administration of Gov. Edgar Chatto and Cong. Rene Relampagos of the firsr district. Also In attendance during the oath taking rites were Vice Governor Concepcion Lim, V-Mayor Pureza Chatto, 3rd District Congressman Art Yap, 2nd District Congressman Erico Aristotle Aumentado, 1st District Board Members Cesar Tomas Lopez, Venzencio Arcamo, Abeleon Damalerio and Jaja Jumamoy (2nd District). Also present were Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalaerio, heads of national agencies, chiefs of offices, members of the judiciary, barangay officials, the PNP, former city mayors and the newly elected officials from neighboring municipalities, family members of the newly elected officials, City Hall employees, supporters and friends. To say that the affair was well attended would be a huge understatement, as the thousands of Bol-anons who could not make it to the festivities glued their ears to their radios as the occasion was also aired live over DYRD.

The festivities begun with a Holy Mass celebrated The Most Rev. Leonardo Y. Medroso, D.D., bishop of diocese of Tagbilaran, The Most Rev. Antonietto D. Cabajog, D.D. and concelebrated by more than 40 priests from the various parishes of the city, the seminary and cathedral. Mayor Baba Yap’s oath was administered by Gov. Chatto while the other newly elected officials were inducted by Judges Moises Leo Lison, Jennifer C. Marcos, Marivic T. Daray, Raul P. Barbarona, Irma Zita V. Masamayor, Suceso A. Arcamo and Prosecutor Macario T. Delusa. One of the highlights of the evening was the awe-inspiring inaugural speech delivered by Mayor Yap as he called for unity for the greater good of the people of Tagbilaran City and the Province of Bohol. A portion of his message where he received a rousing applause from everyone was when Mayor Yap declared: we will be expanding our sphere of teamwork and collaboration beyond the walls of City Hall. I am delighted with the commitment of partnership and camaraderie with our Provincial Government of Bohol through our Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Cong. Rene Lopez Relampagos.

Mayor Baba Yap also disclosed two of the first priority programs his administration and the Provincial Government will initiate, which are the creation of employment and the fortification of Tagbilaran City’s tourism industry. Mayor Yap said; “Together with the Provincial Government of Bohol, we will create an integrated developmental approach that will tackle vital programs of our government such as the holding of an Information Communication Summit, making Tagbilaran as the next wave city for Business Process Outsourcing and Information Technology that will provide numerous job opportunities so our youth do not need to work outside Bohol. Together, we will make Tagbilaran not just a gateway for tourists but a prime tourist destination as well!” Yap ended his inaugural message with a most powerful challenge and declaration as he emphatically expressed; “I am full of optimism and hope that with the graces from the Almighty God and your unyielding support, we can become a united Tagbilaran! united, in eliminating political factions and differences. United, in empowering the barangays to become areas of grassroots developments. United, in restoring transparency and accountability to elevate the standards of governance in the City Hall. United, in establishing a business friendly city that encourages the entry of new investments and the expansion of existing enterprises. United, in building a city where our children can roam freely and safely away from crime and drugs. United, in offering the best health care incentives and privileges for our adored Senior Citizens.