HAGONOY, Davao del Sur— Davao del Sur Gov. Claude Bautista on Saturday defended his programs against criticisms he was being selective as a result of politics, saying all the province’s 337 villages, regardless of their voting records, had received help from the provincial government.
Bautista said he had made clear from the start of his administration that the services of the provincial government would not be based on political affiliations.
“I have even been reaching out to my political enemies, and the projects we have been implementing since last year would show that,” he said at the sidelines of the 61st anniversary celebration of this town.
Hagonoy Mayor Franco Magno Calida said Bautista did not win overwhelmingly here last elections but even then, all 21 villages of this town were recipients of aid from the provincial government.
“Our roads were being paved or being concreted. Our bridges were being strengthened and repaired,” Calida said.
Bautista said he constantly went around the province to consult with village officials and the assistance provided to villages were the outcome of those meetings.
“We implement what is badly needed based on what the villagers recommend,” he said.
Bautista said that since September, some P200 million had been spent on infrastructure projects, including barangay halls.
“I think it’s not fair to say we are skipping barangays where we did not get many votes,” he said.
Bautista said that instead of engaging in too much politics, leaders of the province should work hand in hand in improving peoples’ lives. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao