Posted: May 4, 2024

Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado- Revilla, wife of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., was the guest of honor and speaker at the fiesta highlights of the 35th Ugyonan Festival of the Municipality of E. B. Magalona Wednesday [May 1].

Mercado- Revilla represented her husband, who is currently recuperating from an accident while doing a film last week. The senator suffered a rupture on his Achilles tendon. He will undergo an operation and will be back in shape in a few days, according to a statement from his office.

E. B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon and party received Mercado- Revilla at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City.

Upon arrival to E. B. Magalona, the congresswoman from Bacoor City proceeded to the Asenso Hall at the Public Plaza to meet with several Negros Occidental officials, as well as Municipal and Barangay Officials. Also welcoming her were members of several women’s groups, women barangay captains, and women department heads of the Municipal Government.

Mercado-Revilla then addressed the audience at Asenso Hall, saying Negros Occidental is close to the Revilla’s hearts as the Negrenses helped Senator Revilla won in the 2004, 2010, and 2019 national elections, with a six-year term each.

They then proceeded to the stage for a program prior to the performance of six Saraviahanon groups in the Arena Dance as part of the Streetdance Competition.

In his welcome remarks, Mayor Malacon thanked Mercado- Revilla for gracing the highlights of Ugyonan Festival. “We are so honored to have you as our guest of honor, and we are so happy that you could us join us today as we celebrate this very important milestone of our Municipality,” he said.

“We extend our gratitude as well to your loving husband, Senator Bong Revilla, for his strong support and generosity to Saraviahanon people,” the mayor added.

Senator Revilla personally visited E. B. Magalona last March 21, when he made a side trip to the municipality while on the way to the 26th Kadalag-an Festival of the neighboring Victorias City. The Municipal and Barangay officials of E. B. Magalona had the rare opportunity to have a consultative meeting with him.

Also welcoming Mercado-Revilla were Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, 3rd District Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, former Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, E. B. Magalona Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Sangguniang Bayan Members, Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon, and Fr. Ernie Larida, parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker. Ugyonan Festival is in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker.

A famous movie and actress herself, Mercado- Revilla delighted the crowd with her singing prowess by singing a few of her favorite OPM (Original Pilipino Music) songs.

A few minutes into Mercado-Revilla’s message, she called her husband to give a message to Saraviahanon people. The phone patch was beamed on the LED wall onstage.

Senator Revilla then greeted Saraviahanon people and expressed his regret he could not come personally to E. B. Magalona.

Despite his injury, Senator Revilla has assured Filipino people of his continued commitment to delivering essential services.

The Revilla couple promised to return to E. B. Magalona to lead more projects here, including the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) payout.

SIGNIFICANT BILLS

Mercado- Revilla said Senator Bong Revilla, who chairs the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, has passed outstanding legislations to better the lives of Filipinos.

These significant measures which he principally authored included RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010—which grants P10,000 cash incentives for seniors aged 80, 85, 90, and 95; and P100,000 upon reaching 100 years old; and RA 11984 or the “No Permit, No Exam” Prohibition Act, allowing students to take school examinations despite their unsettled financial obligations.

She also informed Saraviahanon folks that the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified recently the harmonized version of Senate Bill 1964 and House Bill 9682, called the proposed “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act, to increase the chalk allowance of public school teachers from P5,000 to P10,000.

Moreover, Mercado-Revilla said the bicameral committee recently approved a bill granting Night Shift Differential Pay to government employees for work performed between 6:00 in the evening and 6:00 in the morning of the following day.

OUTSTANDING LEGISLATOR, TOO

Congressman Mercado- Revilla is a member of the Committees on Appointments, Food Security, Higher and Technical Education, Housing and Urban Development, Metro Manila Development and Southern Tagalog Development.

During her first term, she fulfilled her campaign promise to make Bacoor a component city. Today, Bacoor is a bustling city and holds so much promise.

Congresswoman Mercado- Revilla is a champion of various causes— from women empowerment, family to children’s rights and welfare. She firmly believes that education is the “great equalizer” and advocates for quality and accessible education for all. She also advocates for the environment and sustainable development.

Hailed as “Nanay mga Bacooreno,” her umbrella social program called “Alagang Ate Lani” ensures that health and social services reach its intended beneficiaries.

Congresswoman Mercado- Revilla is the first-ever woman to represent Bacoor in the 2nd Legislative District of Cavite. She was awarded as the “Most Outstanding Congresswoman” by Superbrands Philippines for five consecutive years during her two terms as Bacoor’s representative.

From 2016 to 2022, she served as Mayor of Bacoor City— also the first woman mayor— and under her administration, Bacoor City was consistently awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance by the DILG.*

-E. B. MAGALONA PIO