1st female city mayor of Calapan takes oath, bares plans for a greener city

The first female mayor of this city, businesswoman-philanthropist Malou Flores-Morillo | PHOTO: Malou Flores-Morillo via facebook

CITY OF CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro—The first female mayor of this city, businesswoman-philanthropist Malou Flores-Morillo, took her oath on Thursday morning, June 30, at the newly inaugurated Calapan City Convention Center.

The oath-taking ceremony started with a Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Nestor Adalia, administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan.

In his homily, Adalia emphasized the spirit of synodality, or “journeying with the people,” like when candidates walked to reach the remotest areas during the campaign and “servant leadership.”

“May the people see God in you,” said Adalia.

In her speech, Morillo turned emotional as she narrated the poverty that plagued the sectors, which she witnessed in the far-flung areas during the campaign.

“Was I ready to sacrifice family time? … private time?” These were among the questions Morillo asked herself before she set out and won her first public post.

Among her plans is to establish “Green Calapan” to be pursued with support from fellow elected officials on all levels, she said. She presented a model of development that balances the need for economic advancement while taking care of the environment and the welfare of the people.

Morillo’s running mate, Bim Ignacio, was also proclaimed vice mayor, as well as the 12 city councilors.

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