Goat farmer is Palawan mayor

Goat farmer is Palawan mayor

Gerandy Danao

NARRA, PALAWAN, Philippines — From goat farm to town hall.

Gerandy Danao, a man who raises 34 goats for a living, has ended the more than 30-year rule of a family in Narra town, Palawan province.

Danao, who ran as an independent candidate, won by 1,033 votes over reelectionist Mayor Lucena Demaala.

He said he relied mostly on “word of mouth” from people who knew him and campaigned for him. “I told myself, if no one will run against Demaala, I will. It’s time for change,” he told the Inquirer.

“If it weren’t for the people, I wouldn’t have won. This is for them,” he said.

Demaala and her husband, Clarito, had held power in Narra for more than 30 years.

Asked about his plans for the first-class farming town of Narra, Danao said he would focus on agricultural programs, construction of farm-to-market roads, distribution of machinery to farmers and tourism.—Shane Frances Montecillo

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