‘I want to accomplish more for Isabela’ – Bojie Dy

Faustino “Bojie” Dy III talks to a girl about the value of education. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ILAGAN, Isabela-A group of caddies at a golf course here cheered when they saw Faustino “Bojie” Dy III alight from his vehicle. Of course, everyone knew him because he plays in this mini-golf course and he is governor of Isabela.

What is surprising though is that Dy called the names of some of the caddies by memory. “Kumusta po kayo? Tagal din nating hindi nagkita. Mario, andito ka pa rin?’ “Sam, bakit ka nagtatago diyan?” He knows them as they know him.

His interaction with the caddies and their families revealed that he had maintained close contact with them through the years. In Ilocano, he spoke and noted that one woman is pregnant again, another, thinner and looked younger. The small group of residents near the golf course was visibly delighted.

At one point, he called on a girl of about six years old and asked her if she’s attending school. The girl was shy but warmed up when Dy asked her if she wants to eat snacks. The girl nodded and smiled. “Abah, pameryendahin na po ang bata.” There is no doubt that Dy looks natural and knows his way with the familiar residents of Isabela.

Dy is current governor but in this May’s polls, a candidate for vice governor in tandem with Congressman Rodito Albano who is running for governor.

Why would a sitting governor opt to run as vice governor? Dy has this to say, “I want to accomplish more for Isabela. Some of the projects are the continuation of what I have started. Cong. Rodito and I have a unified and common vision for Isabela. Tulungan ito, tulungan po kami dito.”

The Dy family has been at the helm of political power in Isabela for many years. Families in different elective position are not an issue in Isabela according to a restaurant cook specializing in Pancit Cabagan. “Madami silang nagagawa, di pa sila tapos. Eh ano kung Dy lagi kung may ginagawa naman?” says Kelvin.

Before an almost one hour interaction with caddies and their families, Dy met with potential investors from Korea. Dy discussed with them the on-going road project what would connect the coastal towns of Maconanon and Divilacan to the capital city of Ilagan.

The road project in Ilagan City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The road project that costs Php1.3-B is 81-kilometers long. The project is funded from a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

From the golf course, Dy quickly sat in his vehicle to sign papers brought by some of the provincial capitol’s heads of departments.

A phone call in between, a reminder from his secretary that another group is waiting for him at his residence.

Clearly, Bojie Dy is on always on the go, the daily grind for someone who still wants to accomplish more for Isabela.”