Newbie politico a physician seeking to cure Batanes’ ailments

Ciriaco Gato Jr. —FACEBOOK PHOTO

ITBAYAT, Batanes—Neophyte candidate Dr. Ciriaco Gato Jr. describes his recent congressional win over former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad of the prominent political family in Batanes, “a gift from God.”

“All I wanted was to help the Ivatans through my self-initiated medical missions. I never planned nor envisioned myself becoming a politician,” Gato said.

His win “came as a surprise” to him, he said, adding that he had a low-key campaign.

“But hard work always pays off, and when you have this genuine intention to serve and help the people, you can make it,” Gato said.

The Nationalist People’s Coalition candidate has been organizing medical missions for years, but getting elected would allow him to serve the people of Batanes on a much bigger scale, he said.

A Batanes native, Gato was born in Sabtang but grew up in Itbayat where he completed his elementary and high school education. He graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and became an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Called “Doc Jun” by the locals, Gato shared with the Inquirer his first foray into politics and how he intends to cure the many ills that still hobble economic growth in Batanes.

Gato is a prominent name and clan in Itbayat. Can you tell us something about your family?

We are not exactly a political family. At least, not my immediate family. My father, Ciriaco Sr., is a retired government employee from Itbayat while my mother, Felisa Elcano Bayaras, is a retired teacher from Barangay Diptan in Basco. I am the third of seven children. We moved to Itbayat and eventually lived in Basco.

There are politicians in our family though, among them Simon Gato, a former Batanes governor who became an assemblyman during the Marcos years. He is my father’s cousin. Another former Batanes governor, Vicente Gato, is a second cousin. I’m married to Jade Bañez, an obstetrician-gynecologist, and we have two daughters.

What made you decide to run for congress and what was your platform?

Politics was never an option and it’s really not my cup of tea. I have been a practicing doctor and specialist for almost 30 years. In all those years, I have been returning to Basco to conduct medical missions by myself and sometimes, with a group.

It really breaks my heart to see with my own eyes how our hospital still lacks much-needed equipment and facilities. I’ve often heard of patients being airlifted to Manila or to Tuguegarao City [to seek medical treatment].

Imagine the ordeal that these patients and their families have to go through. I will seize every opportunity to ask assistance from the national government to address these issues.

Another area of concern is water. Until now, there is scarcity of potable water in Basco and Itbayat. I want to expand the health service and the delivery of potable water to households. Three years is a very short time so I’d be happy if I could make significant improvements on these two concerns: health service and water.

We also have food shortage, transport issues and garbage and sewage problems. We have an 8-point program to address these.

Reelected Gov. Marilou Cayco and Vice Governor-elect Ignacio Villa are also from Itbayat. Do you expect smooth relations and cooperation among the three of you?

I do not see any problem because they are my friends and we already set aside our personal differences and political affiliations right after the elections. In fact, I will be joining them in their proclamation on June 27, which coincides with Araw ng Batanes.

Governor Marilou was one of my juniors in high school. Vice Governor-elect Villa is also my friend and I served as their family doctor. We all grew up together. We have a long history of friendship and we can set aside party politics to serve the province we love.