COMMUNITY RECONNECTION AND VISION FOR A GREENER FUTURE IN CRESENCIA VILLAGE

November 9, 2024 Community Billboard

Candidate for City Councilor Glenn Gaerlan and Baguio Tourism Council Chairman Gladys Vergara, who is also
running for Congress, recently gathered with Cresencia Village Barangay officials led by Punong Barangay Leonida
Boragay. They were joined by Senior Citizens Association President Lynda Rulloda and Pastor Eliseo Pelimiano, who
served as Barangay Senior Citizen Officer For a Day (BSCOFAD), making it an event filled with reconnections,
community-building, and future-focused discussions. The event marked a touching reunion between Gladys Vergara and Kapitana Boragay, her family’s former employee.

Vergara fondly recalled how Boragay, who now serves as Punong Barangay, used to walk her to school every day when she was in first grade. This heartfelt moment highlighted the enduring bonds within the community and set the tone for an afternoon of meaningful exchanges. Reflecting on her family’s legacy, Vergara shared a cherished memory of a conversation with her father, former Mayor and Congressman Bernardo M. Vergara, about his ambitious vision to construct a circumferential road around Baguio.

This road, he explained, was intended to ease traffic congestion and provide alternative routes connecting Baguio to nearby municipalities, paving the way for more efficient movement and growth. Vergara also emphasized the vital role that senior citizens play in the community. She urged them to stay active and engaged, citing their potential to contribute positively in many ways. Drawing on her early experience in public service, Vergara recounted how she
collaborated with Imee Marcos as Kabataan Barangay Federation President in the 1980s.

This experience, she noted, instilled in her a deep commitment to community service—a commitment that continues to this day. In line with her “Glad to be Green” advocacy, which she launched in 2016 to champion renewable energy as a way to combat climate change, Vergara presented the senior citizens with solar street lights. These lights, intended for installation in darker areas of the barangay, not only enhance safety but also serve as a step toward environmental sustainability.

Vergara explained that the use of solar power aligns with her broader vision of a greener, more resilient Baguio and reflects her dedication to sustainable community solutions. The gathering at Cresencia Village was a reminder of the enduring bonds within the community, the strength of shared histories, and the power of forward-thinking initiatives. With leaders like Gladys Vergara and Glenn Gaerlan committed to honoring the past while building a greener future, Cresencia Village and Baguio as a whole can look forward to continued growth and progress.

Photo and Story by Glad to Serve You FB Page