RECOGNIZED and admired by fans as movie and television actors, the governor and vice governor of Bulacan drew the support of more than a million Bulakenyos during the May 9 election, trouncing their opponents.

Daniel Fernando was reelected as governor, and Alex Castro, an incumbent provincial board member, will be the new vice governor.

Dubbed MIB or “Men in Bulacan,” Fernando and Castro usher in a new breed of politics in Bulacan as they represent the new generation of public servants. They have promised to deliver good governance in the province.

In an interview with The Manila Times, Fernando said he will dedicate his second term of office to extending his “People’s Agenda 10” program.

He said he wants to intensify livelihood programs through seminars and training and combat unemployment by holding a regular job fair at least four times a year.

The governor also seeks to encourage small entrepreneurs, including online businesses and mini-stores. Also in his sights are the strengthening of cooperatives and developing of industries to boost the local economy.

He will also continue the Learning Recovery Program, which is similar to the program of the Department of Education in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. This program offers training and workshops to the youth, specifically the out of school youth. It includes farming or agriculture learning, among others.

Fernando said construction is underway for the P40-million Bulacan Provincial Government Productivity Center. It will house fertilizers, seedlings, grafted fruit-bearing plants, and vegetables as well as the P39-million Multiplier and Breeding Center. The latter is seen to increase the supplies of chickens, cows, carabaos and goats.

The Provincial Engineering Office has already started laying its foundations on a 20-hectare lot owned by the provincial government, located in the town of Doña Remedios Trinidad.

“These will help Bulakenyos achieve food security and reduce rural poverty by modeling an approach to agricultural transformation that enables the effective prioritization of public investments in primary agriculture and its secondary sectors. This is based on new approaches to agricultural production, market assistance, and easing the constraints faced by small fisherfolk and landless farmers,” he said.

Fernando said he is also looking forward to the construction of the Bulacan International Airport, the so-called New Manila International Airport. He said the P736-billion airport project will generate as many as one million jobs in its construction. The governor said that San Miguel Corp. will hire the best workers from Bulacan, other places, and from overseas, once it secures the go-signal for construction.

Fernando likewise signed an executive order extending the existing scholarship program and giving additional allowances to the beneficiaries of the provincial government’s “Tulong Pang-Edukasyon para sa Bulakenyo.”

He also wants to develop a productive, efficient, and people-centered health delivery system that protects the rights to health care of all Bulakenyos, allowing them to enjoy the highest standard of health without distinction as to religion, political belief, economic or social condition.

In the aspect of tourism, the governor wants to promote projects that are compatible with the cultural identity and the ways of life of Bulakenyos. This is to ensure that the tourism programs are linked to the historical and cultural heritage of the province. Emphasis can be put on our cherished patriots to historic monuments and museums, as well as highlighting traditional practices and art forms.

The provincial government will also develop holistic policies and measures to preserve the environment and ensure proper waste disposal to combat air, water and soil pollution. The aim is to mitigate the threats of climate change such as shifting weather patterns, rising sea levels, and catastrophic flooding. He also promises a well-coordinated province-wide approach to humanitarian relief in response to calamities and emergencies.

Lastly, the governor said he wants to establish good governance that is participatory, accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable, inclusive and rules-based. He wants to ensure that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account, and the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making, in a manner that is responsive to the present and future needs of society.

Castro, on the other hand, promises to follow the lead of Fernando.

The model, singer and actor is also known as the “Bagong Mukha ng Bulacan.”

More than just a pretty face, Castro said Bulakenyos can expect a more vigorous and more active vice governor who will implement quality legislation.

Castro said he does not want to be just a presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who could only be seen during the session. He wants to be a productive vice governor who would visit and check on every town and village.

“Our programs will focus on women empowerment, agriculture, and social responsibility,” Castro said.

“I want to work harmoniously with the executive branch but independently, we will work properly and accordingly without politics.”

Part of Castro’s plan is to put up a satellite office or action center located in each district where there will be a people’s day with him or his staff for faster delivery of services. This will be done so that those in the remote areas will no longer have to go to the provincial capitol in Malolos.

Castro also wants to have a new legislative building for the offices of the vice governor and board members, with a spacious and pleasant session hall.

It will be recalled that last year, President Rodrigo Duterte approved two additional districts in Bulacan, which also increased the number of legislators.

“We will change the system of politics in Bulacan. In my time, hopefully, we will be able to serve the people properly and correctly. I will see to it that I am here to help and support the governor to implement the new programs that we will present to the people,” said Castro.

Both Fernando and Castro thanked everyone who supported them and promised to look after the welfare of all Bulakenyos.