Among the six out of eight candidates who participated in the VALIENTE: Mayoral Candidates’ Forum was seasoned politician Celso Lobregat. A former mayor and congressman, he seeks to become the local chief executive once more after nine years.
When asked why he wants to become mayor, Lobregat emphasized that the turbulence of the times called him to act and usher back progress and prosperity for the people of the city, not unlike the rest of the attending mayorables. Lobregat also banked on his breadth of experiences serving as the city’s chief executive for three terms and the level of his educational attainment from reputed universities.
In keeping with this, he highlighted his efforts to address child labor and violence by citing the establishment of women crisis centers for women and children during one of his terms. As an aspiring mayor, he aims to strengthen social programs to protect children to keep them off the streets by instituting a program to care for them in care centers when their parents cannot. He expressed the need to improve existing communication and intervention methods as well as the institution of a law on child abuse to address issues on child protection.
On the matter of traffic management, Lobregat promised to sign an executive order allowing for the construction of flyovers and emphasizing the necessity of political will to solve the traffic problem of the city. He also brought up the necessity of building more barangay roads and farm-to-market roads, citing how his administration as mayor concentrated on cementing those roads. However, he expressed that the main obstacle to accomplishing this is a lack of funds and donations.
When asked about his position on certain issues, Lobregat was for the resumption of on-site classes and the establishment of night markets to revitalize the vibrant nightlife in the city. However, he was against the increase in water prices and the conversion of other barangays into municipalities to preserve funds that would have to be allocated to new public office positions.
Before the conclusion of the forum, he expressed the shared commitment of all the mayorables to the welfare and prosperity of Zamboanga and its people. If given the mandate and honor to serve once more as city mayor, he vowed to lead by example, act with urgency, and govern with compassion to foster collaboration and work towards a more inclusive and prosperous Zamboanga.
This Forum Review is part of The BEACON’s series on local elections. The VALIENTE: Mayoral Candidates Forum was held last April 9, 2022 at the Faustino W Saavedra Multi-Purpose Hall in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Salvador Campus.
