Published in the SunStar Bacolod newspaper on Wednesday , June 13, 2018 By CARLA N. CANET

SOME 247 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials of Talisay City have taken their oath of office before Mayor Neil Lizares Tuesday, June 12, at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City.

BACOLOD. Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, along with Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez and other officials, leads the oath-taking ceremony of some 247 village and youth officials yesterday, June 12 at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City. (Carla N. Cañet)

Negros Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez graced the oath-taking ceremony along with Board Member Manuel Ko, other city officials, and Carmelo Orbista, head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

In a speech, Benitez asked the barangay officials to start the healing process by extending a hand of reconciliation to those who did not make it during the recent polls, including those who did not support them.

"Start working early and do not wait for the campaign period. Serve your people now so that when validation comes (during election time), you will never have difficulties. Talisay will become a premier city in the province. Do what is right now because the right thing will just happen," the solon said.

He said that the village and youth officials will have two years in office after the barangay elections were postponed several times until it was finally held last May.

But he plans to propose a bill in the Congress, once it resumes its session this July, to extend their term to five years, with two-term limits.

"You have the shortest term of office now because by 2020, there will be an election again sans the proposed federalism," he said.

Lizares, for his part, urged the newly-elected officials to be the modern day heroes and heroines of the community and embrace the value of peace, truth, justice, patriotism, valor, equity and brotherhood.

"The responsibility and accountability of running a city and achieving our shared vision for Talisay may seem overwhelming but it is made possible through collective intent and action. One heart, one mind in service is an invitation that I would like to share to everyone," he said.

Meanwhile, Orbista also oriented the newly sworn officials about the direction of President Rodrigo Duterte, which is to stop corruption in the barangay level.

“Make the necessary measure to counter this. Second, it is the move of the President to push for the federalism. This second semester, the advocacy on federalism will continue in preparation for the proposed plebiscite in 2019,” he said.

"So give your constituents the best service that they all deserve," he added.