Mt. Province declares Sen. Ejercito an adopted son

April 14, 2018 Provincial

BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito was given a Cordilleran name that symbolizes hope and prosperity as he was declared an adopted son of Mountain Province during the 14th Lang-ay Festival and 51st founding anniversary of the province on April 10, 2018.
With the name “Bulanglang”, also interpreted by the people of the province as the coming of the rain, the season of blossoming, and growth after a long dry spell of the summer season, Ejercito received the distinction, and the responsibility that goes along with it.
“We are honored to welcome him here as a son of the province. However we also expect him to uphold his given name and bring hope, happiness and prosperity to the people of Mountain Province,” said Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr.
The governor said the people of Mountain Province are proud to call him a son. And just like any father, the province is always open for him to visit.
Ejercito is the chairman on the committee on health in the senate.  Among his works as a national legislator that benefited the farmers of the Cordillera is the creation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.
The anti-agricultural smuggling act brands the large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as an economic sabotage.
In recognition to his adoption, Ejercito was given the “pinagpakan” (a woven blanket), “wanes” (a traditional costume for an Igorot man), “bedbed” (a woven head gear worn only by respected people in the province), “tufay” (the traditional Igorot spear), “kalasag” (wooden shield), and the “sangi” (a hand woven rattan back pack).
In his speech, Ejercito said he is honored to be bestowed a son of Mountain Province. He said he is considering this as an important part of his life. “Isa pong karangalan sa akin na maituring na anak ninyo at ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat,” he said.
As a chairman of the committee on health, he promised to help the province in improving Bontoc General Hospital for better services to the people. “I will consider Bontoc General Hospital as one of my priority project,” he said.
Aside from the hospital, the senator also committed to help in the tourism industry of the province through infrastructure projects. “Kakausapin ko ang Tourism Infrastructure Enterprises Zone Authority (TIEZA) para tulungan kayo dito sa mga tourism infrastructure projects lalo na sa mga historical site niyo tulad ng Mount Data, Banaue Terraces Hotel at iba pa,” Ejercito ended.
The 10 municipalities of the province, namely Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Bontoc, Sagada, Bauko, Sabangan, Tadian, Besao, and Sagada, participated in the different lined up activities including the street dancing and chanting competition. The people of the municipalities also gathered together to celebrate the 51st Founding Anniversary of their province. DIONISIO B. DENNIS JR. / ABN