by: Chita Dela Cruz-Heap
A dream come true or a dream just beginning to materialize? This is the question I asked the current Mayor, Hon. William S. Lachica, after his Accomplishment Report of his first 100 days in his mayoral seat.
I know him from since I was a small girl. He used to visit our house in Pook to see my older brother who was a friend of his. As we grew older however, our paths diverged as we pursued our own directions in life.
His career started by serving the people of Andagao as their Barangay Kagawad, and then as Barangay captain of the same village. He went on to become a Sangguniang Bayan member and later the Municipal Vice Mayor of Kalibo.
After his term as vice mayor he retreated to private life to focus on the most important aspect of his life, his family. He has four children by his wife Cilliar Tibar- Lachica, and the education of his four children has been paramount. These children are now all professionals in their own rights, all married and some with young children whom the youthful mayor and his wife spend much time pampering. After many years of shying away from the public eye, he returned to the public forum with a quiet vengeance to run for mayorship, which he won hands down this time.
At the press conference held after his accomplishment report, he was asked what was the most challenging aspect of his position as mayor. His reply was,” the aspect of being able to serve my people unconditionally. Though no longer in his prime, he said that he would never cease in striving to serve the people of Kalibo. Although Kalibo is in a better situation now, he believes that it is the duty of the current administration to maintain, improve, perpetrate and develop what remains to be done for the betterment of the Kalibonhons.
When asked how he defines a good leader, his reply was, “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”. He added that “ A good leader’s courage to fulfil his vision comes from his passion and not from his position.”
I asked him what he expects from the people of Kalibo. He said that it is his wish that his people work with him in the light of his vision for Kalibo, and that is for Kalibo to become a dynamic, empowered, and progressive community. Even as modern technology proliferates, his administration still engages in a traditional style of governance.
Towards making a difference, his administration is inspired to institute a creative planning process together with creative financing packages, in order to come up with strategic time bound and rational infrastructure projects, and simple housekeeping activity.” With compelling challenges of time first, we need to work very hard to ensure that Kalibo’s position as the “Mother of Philippine Festivals”, and as home of the “Queen of Philippine Fabrics- the Pina cloth, and to create more jobs for the Kalibonhons in order to establish them as independent citizens”.
Therefore with the cooperation of the natives of Kalibo, together they will pursue a holistic development strategy that strives for the general welfare of all Kalibonhons.
Cityhood is a dream shared by every Kalibonhon. “When we attain this, more services will be enjoyed by our people.
Asked to share his dreams of success for the future, his reply was, “I have provided Kalibo with a legacy of performance, and it is my dream that Kalibo continues to prosper . The success of this administration is the success of the Kalibonhons. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim is fulfilled.” They will say, “ we did it ourselves”. Hala Bira!/TE
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