CEBU CITY – The National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) on Tuesday, Oct. 19, elected new officials in Central Visayas and vowed to push for programs that will benefit the community, especially the youth.
Larenz Lagon, a councilor in Cordova, Cebu, was elected as chairman of NMYL-Central Visayas while Jamie Aumentado Villamor, a board member in Bohol, was elected as vice chairperson.
“I’m certainly glad that all of us are united compared to other regions. We have a lot of plans together with the vice chairman,” Lagon said after the group’s election in a hotel in Mandaue City.
Lagon said the NMYL will help promote local products coming from areas in Region 7 and will also come up with programs that will help provinces during calamities.
Villamor said having an NMYL led by officials from Cebu and Bohol bode well for the region.
“I am happy to team up with Cebu province. Cebu has been one of the most active players in ensuring progress in the region,” said Villamor.
Villamor was also elected chairperson of NMYL-Bohol.
NMYL is a league of elected young lawmakers aged 40-years-old and below. Its members are vice governors, vice mayors, provincial board members, city and municipal councilors, and Sangguniang Kabataan federated presidents and chairpersons.
Villamor, a lawyer and granddaughter of the late Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and niece of Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado, said she aspires for young legislators in Bohol to be organized to enable them to be more effective and productive.
“Bohol will take active part in the efforts to engage the youth in the economic recovery and growth of the province of Bohol through legislative advocacy," Villamor said.
Other elected officials of NMYL-Bohol are Dimiao Vice Mayor Jessie Tagupa Paluga (vice chairman), Balilihan Vice Mayor Esther Patrisha Veloso Chatto (secretary), Bien Unido Councilor Leonardo Benitez Querubin Jr. (treasurer), Sagbayan Councilor Angelyn Tecson Camacho (auditor), and Balilihan Councilor Marianne Domivee Chatto-Calipes (press relations officer).
The board of directors for the first district of Bohol is Councilor Al Pilongo Coquilla (Antiquera), Councilor Virgelle Gail Bagolor (Tubigon), and Councilor Kien Alphe Mino Garsuta (Albur).
The BOD for the second district are Councilor June Reign Golosino Reyes (San Miguel), Vice Mayor Casey Shaun Monillas Camacho (Getafe), and Councilor Maria Celeste Cepedoza Lerion (Danao).
Third district board BOD are Councilor Arnielito Soriano Olandria (Candijay), Councilor Edsel Rarioa Tutor (Jagna), and Councilor Abigail Marie Lagura Gutang (Guindulman).
Villamor, 32, said her priority agenda include maximizing youth involvement and participation in consultations, policy-making, and legislative processes.
Villamor said she will push for the strengthening of local communities by advocating and enacting laws for the farmers, fisherfolk, small enterprises, MSMEs, and the indigenous groups as well as championing children and youth welfare in the province of Bohol through enactment, review, amendment, if necessary, and r ensure implementation of local laws.