BARANGAY Captain Juvy Pepillo of Victorias City is the new president of the Provincial Barangay League after she won the election Monday, July 30.
Papillo, who is supported by Love Negros, got 19 votes while incumbent League president Annabelle Bermudo of La Carlota City only got 12 votes.
All 31 presidents of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in the province were present and cast their votes in the election Monday held at Seda Hotel in Bacolod City. It was officiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Pepillo will sit as an ex-officio member of the Provincial Council representing the 601 villages in Negros Occidental.
Pepillo thanked Love Negros led by Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for their support on her bid.
Asked if the League election is already a measure of the 2019 elections, she said "maybe."
"I think that this is already a baseline of the 2019 election," she added.
Pepillo said she will advocate on the campaign against illegal drugs in the barangays of the province.
"If there is also a need to speak up in the Board, I will speak up," she pointed out.
Pepillo was a former teacher at La Consolacion College and executive director of Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Foundation in Victorias City.
With her expertise in drug education, this will be very timely advocacy considering that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to curb illegal drug use and trade in the country.
"This is my advocacy and I want to spread it among my fellow ABC heads so we can help to spread drug education in our community," she said.
She also served as a guidance counselor of a school.
She vowed to be the voice of her fellow punong barangays in the Provincial Board.
She said, "I cannot promise everything to all my fellow ABC heads but I can assure them that I will find time to listen to their concerns."
This is her last term as barangay captain and a new challenge came in with her election to the Barangay League post.
"When you serve your third and last term, this proves that the people have truly believed in your capacity to lead. And my victory is a thanksgiving to my barangay, city and people," she said.
As to her relationship with her predecessor Bermudo, she said: "We became a good sport wherein we accepted the reality. This is the beauty of the election. I hugged her. She also promised to help and support my programs in the Sangguniang."
Other newly elected officials of provincial Barangay League are Benjie Sian as vice president and Ma. Misil Hilario as auditor while elected as board of directors are Romar Cabral, Anthonio Medinceles, Anthony Wee, Aristotle Tuvilla, Jostarr Bandojo, Lorenzo Suatengco, Rome Vargas and Rosalita Arsenal.
After their proclamation as winners, they were also immediately sworn in.
Pepillo is expected to attend her first session as a member of the Board on Wednesday, August 1. (with reports from Carla N. Cañet)
