VICE-GOVERNOR FONGWAN-KEPES’ LEGISLATIVE AGENDA; VOWS INCLUSIVE, TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE

July 5, 2025 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Vice Governor Marie Rose Tirso Fongwan- Kepes vowed that her leadership in the provincial council will be inclusive and transparent. ‘Interest and needs of the general public matters,’said Fongwan-Kepes during her inaugural message after she took her Oath of Office administered by Hon. Melita Delson-Macaraeg, Presiding Judge of Benguet Provincial
Family Court Branch 3 ,and witnessed by her husband and members of her family. ‘Together we can create a provincial Council that listens to the voice of the people.Join me as I lead an inclusive and transparent governance, guaranteeing that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan comprises compassionate lawmakers .’

Topping her legislative agenda are – mental health saying ‘ concerns on mental health are rising ,with factors like dysfunctional families,abuse ,and bullying contributing to the issue.’
On teenage pregnancy high rates of teenage pregnancy and related issues like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Considering the province mountainous landscape , on education- students in remote areas face challenges such as long walks to school and inadequate facilities. Fongwan-Kepes, revealed that it was his father the late Nestor Fongwan ,Sr., who rosed from town mayor of this town,to governor and congressman known as ‘Action Man’ ,who inspired her.

Other agenda include waste management -despite efforts to manage waste,the province still struggles with waste disposal and pollution. On access to healthcare, the vice governor
said the province faces challenges in providing adequate medical services. In agriculture, Fongwan-Kepes said ‘ while we are known for vegetable production, our farmers face issue on low and unstable prices for their produce, high cost of farm inputs.’ Limited access to credit ,vulnerability to climate change impacts and challenges related to post-harvest handling and infrastructure . They also struggle with accessing and utilizing weather and climate information.

‘With all the challenges we are facing today, it is our task now to address by way of a good legislative design which is one of the key ways which we can expect outcomes for the province. In fact, Fongwan-Kepes urged her fellow public servants especially board members to come work and prioritize such impact projects. In doing so, the vice-governor stressed ‘ let’s create how to foster collaboration with the different agencies ,after all we have one common goal of the Province.’ She also reflected on what she had learned on her three-year term as board member ‘there should be a mechanism, a continuing effort may it in executive part or from the legislative. She emphasized a regular assessment on the effectiveness of the follow-up process. Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to refine the follow-up strategy. Earlier, the vice governor promised to improved the legislative coding system to meet the demand of times.

Primo Agatep/ABN