San Simon mayor urged to run for Pampanga board

SAN SIMON, Pampanga --- Municipal mayors in the province’s 4th congressional district have been urging outgoing San Simon mayor Rodrigo “Digos” Canlas to run for a spot in the provincial board.
This was revealed Friday by Canlas in an interview with local newsmen in the City of San Fernando.
Canlas, a three-term mayor, said his fellow local chief executives in the district have even committed their full support once he decides to run for a Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) seat.
Canlas said that he has not made any decision regarding his next political move but is seriously considering the suggestions of his fellow mayors.
Forced by the obligatory three-term limit to relinquish the mayoralty position come the May 2010 elections, Canlas has to make up his mind between choosing another political position or shying out of the limelight for the meantime.
Canlas started his career in politics in 1992 when he was elected 1st councilor of San Simon. He was re-elected in 1995 for another term as municipal legislator.
In 2001, Canlas ran for mayor and won. He was equally successful in his re-election bids in 2004 and 2007.
Canlas said his track record as mayor gives him the confidence to fare well should he opt run as board member.
“I could duplicate what I did for my town as mayor,” Canlas said, citing his numerous achievements for his municipality, among these the 1,000 families that benefited from housing projects he initiated.
The mayor also said that he was able to source funds for the construction of the P130-million San Jose-San Miguel bridge and had helped convince Fourth District Rep. Anna York-Bondoc to fund the rehabilitation of Quezon Road.
For education, he said, he was able to get the support of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in construction numerous school buildings in various public schools in his town. This is on top of the funds he allocated for scholarship programs.
(By Albert B. Lacanlale)