Public office is a vocation – Domogan

Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan said that people often hear about the phrase ‘public office is a public trust’ but to him it is more than that.

In his inaugural speech after taking oath as the city’s Representative to the House, Domogan pointed out that public office is a vocation, a covenant, a calling and to be called and trusted once again with the very people he had dedicated his life to serve that is a gift he shall forever cherish.

He admitted that the world has changed where the city continues to evolve and that he too has been transformed by the six years that he spent outside public office.

The returning congressman claimed that those past six years afforded him a time of quiet reflection, of listening to the heartbeat of the people, of looking at the city through the lense of an ordinary citizen among others where in those years, he listened more, saw more, felt more.

According to him, his return to public service not only with experience but with renewed mission, with broader perspective, with deeper empathy and stronger resolve.

He disclosed that many of the people know that his campaign was not built on grand promises but it was built on sincerity and he reaffirmed the vow he made, to listen, to act, and to serve with integrity and dedication.

“I do not promise perfection. But I do promise transparency. I promise honesty. And Above all, I promise that every decision I make in Congress will not be for applause, not for political gain, but always for the interest and welfare of our beloved Baguio and our people,” Domogan stressed.

He asserted that no superman, no lone ranger can do all things at the same time alone and that true change, lasting, meaningful change requires the people and unity is indispensable that is why he appealed to every citizen to transcend pilot colors, rise above personal interests and beliefs, liberate themselves from the shackles of party affiliations, emancipate themselves from the firm grip of past squabbles and bickering, come together and dis-entangle the destructive change of prejudice, ego and pride, come shoulder to shoulder, bury the hatchet and eradicate the consuming fire of political strife.

“It is time to extend my hand to every fellow leader, regardless of affiliation, especially to our beloved mayor, a fellow public servant I’v come to know as principled, honorable and committed. I believe with all my heart that if city hall and Congress move in harmony, there is nothing so grand, no mountain too high for all of us to climb,” Domogan said.

In the same manner, he underscored that it is also time to call upon the city council, barangay officials, and government agencies to align their efforts and speak one language, the language of unity, progress, and cooperation and work together and fulfill their campaign promises and the sacred mandate the people have bestowed on them.

He emphasized that the city’s business sector is the backbone of the economy, thus, the city and the business sector must work together for responsible growth and job creation while the academic institutions should shape the youth to be fruitful, compassionate and empowered citizens.

Domogan rallied the youth to use their courage, energy and creativity for the present needs of today while the civil society, religious leaders and volunteers should continue to use their unwavering voices to provide their moral compass.

For the environmental advocates, Domogan expressed his gratitude to them for reminding the people that the nature is not just a resource but it is a sacred inheritance while the senior citizens, farmers, transport groups and health workers should continue using their hands to build the city day by day, thus, they should walk with the city officials, work with them and build with them.

For the media, he urged them to sustain their being drum beaters, megaphones for truth to be heard and that the pride of communication should be fortified through the power of their mandate through the power of their mighty voices and pens.

Domogan reminded the people that the government is not made up of spectators, but of partners, thus, the city is one body with many parts and that the citizens are their co-builders, collaborators, counselors, thus, they must work together, decide together and leave a lasting legacy together. – Dexter A. See