By Edwin Iyo
Correspondent
APPOINTED Town Councilor Rico Taray is confident that he will be recognized at last, as a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Talisayan town in the eastern part of Misamis Oriental this after the installation of Datu Tongatok or Vernilo Mangmang as municipal councilor representing Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) in this town on Wednesday morning at municipal hall quadrangle in this town.
Taray said the installation of Datu Tongatong and the come back of Councilor Jeng Ifurung, who in long vacation leave due to the pandemic, will bring the solid numbers back in the Sangguniang Bayan to recognized him in the next regular session scheduled this coming September 22.
Taray was still not recognized by the present majority block in the Sangguniang Bayan in this town lead by Municipal Councilor Andres Llagas since he has taken his oath of office on July 26 this year.
The installation of Datu Tongatok was administered by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano and was witnessed by 1st District Rep. Christian Unabia, Gingoog City Vice Mayor Peter M. Unabia including mayor Rommel C. Maslog and town vice mayor Joseph Epoc with the presence of the jam-packed crowd in the municipal quadrangle.
Provincial Board Members Wayne Militante, Erick Khu, and Allan Mandokita provincial IPMR were also there.
Datu Tongatok is the first IPMR installed in Talisayan, said Maslog
A thanksgiving ritual was part of the installation program led by Mandokita.
The new majority bloc is composed of SK Chair Federation President North Maceda, ABC President Belardo Mediante, Kag Nestor Aguilar, Kag JimmyTaray, Kag Jeng Ifurung, and Kag Datu Tongatok.
“Kini kay majority naman next session makalingkod na gayod ako,” said Taray.
