Mayor Hernani A. Braganza was sworn for the third time as Mayor of this young and very peaceful city in a simple Thanksgiving Mass and path-taking rites held at the Don Leopoldo Sison Auditorium last Friday.

With him in this memorable occasion were his very supportive wife-Madam Stella and cute kids Pedro Luis and Patricia Isabel, her sister-councilor Ma. Angela and trusted family friend, Dr. Elena Barcelona.

Judge Elpidio Abella, presiding Judge of RTC Branch 55, administered the oath of office of all the newly elected city officials.

While, Rev. Rendrix Rabago, officiated an early mass and went on to share some of God’s words even as he reminded the leaders of their sworn duties and responsibilities to their constituents.

Mayor Braganza, who is turning 43 this August 7, is now on his second straight term as head of the city.

The former DAR and Press secretary will be working anew in tandem with Vice Mayor Teofilo G. Humilde who was also given a fresh mandate to head the city council for the third and final time.

Eight re-electionist councilors, one come-backing legislator, a former youth leader and a political greenhorn comprise the 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod.

They were councilors Joselito O. Fontelera, Carolyn Dizon-Sison, Cirio B. Radoc, Earl James Aquino, Ma. Angela A. Braganza, Constante Carasi, Orlando Go, Oscar Boling, Joseph Bacay and Felimon Bacala Jr.

The city solons were given an opportunity to thank their constituents for the support tendered to them during the recent elections and spell out the programs they wish to initiate.

 Humilde, also a three-term city solon in the 90’s, thanked his citymates for the unwavering support showered to his families for more than two decades.

He said the Humilde clan will continue to be of serves to the people of Alaminos and be a strong ally of the executive branch in implementing worthy programs for city.

In his inaugural speech, Braganza first congratulated his “co-partners” for the city’s development for their respective successes in the May polls.

He also thanked the barangay leaders, religious groups, the DepEd, government workers and NGOs for coming over to witness the ceremony but more importantly for their whole hearted support and trust to his leadership.

Braganza also expressed gratefulness to his citymates for making the local elections here the most peaceful political exercise in the province.

The Mayor expressed happiness over the fact that not a single politics-related incident was recorded or had happened in the city last elections.

He then urged his citymates that for the next three years, “we will continue to unite to achieve a common vision of peaceful and progressive city.”  

“I exhort my fellow Alaminians, that despite our differences in principles, in faith, belief and in understanding on various issues and concerns, that we must remain united and mind on the general welfare of our city,” he added.

Braganza said Alaminians must recognize the need to maintain the city’s competitiveness particularly in trade and commerce, agriculture and tourism.

Alaminos is currently the center of major business activities and agricultural development in western Pangasinan.

It is also fast becoming the tourism capital of Pangasinan.

“We dreamed of bustling city and better life for our family things for our city and is therefore incumbent on our part to work hard to achieve it,” said the Mayor.

“Now is the time to build a new Alaminos, our place of birth, where we live, and started to dream big and a city that we can truly be proud of,” he finally quipped. (CIO)