FULFILLING HER DESTINY

Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan of Lapu-Lapu City’s lone district regularly keeps her constituents up to date about her day’s agenda via her Facebook account. She finds social media an effective channel to connect with the Oponganons, since she spends a lot of time in Manila these days to attend Congressional hearings. The first-term congresswoman has been elected to become vice-chairperson of three committees—Tourism; Welfare of Children; and Women and Gender Equality—causes and advocacies that are close to her heart. She’s also a member of the committees on Visayas Development, Trade and Industry; Micro and Small Enterprises; Disaster Resilience; Basic Education; Games and Amusements; and Transportation.

Chan shared on Facebook some of the highlights of her first month as congresswoman. These include facilitating the initial distribution of financial assistance to Oponganons in partnership with government agencies and the provision of scholarship grants to poor but deserving students.

She also established concrete plans for the construction of multipurpose buildings in various barangays. Together with the DPWH, she inspected and assessed the unfinished road projects. To be better informed about the pressing issues affecting the city, Chan has also met with different government agencies, people’s organizations, and barangay officials.

The legislator assures LEAGUE that she’s committed and determined to do her part in achieving the development goals of Lapu-Lapu City, which is considered “one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in the Philippines.” But Chan also knows for a fact that the road to recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette will be a long, arduous one, so she’s working closely with her better half—Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan—in addressing the needs of the city and its people.

Theirs is a very ideal relationship, says the congresswoman, who has been married to the

mayor for 25 years. “We make sure everybody in the team is aligned so we know where we can help each other,” she says. “We support each other’s projects.” The First Lady of Lapu-Lapu City makes herself available whenever the mayor schedules community outreach programs via “Team Ahong, Team Libre.”

CINDI CARES

The legislator’s priority programs are summed up by the letters of her name—which also served as her battle cry in her political campaign. C stands for “Children, women, elderly, and PWDs,” I for “Infrastructure,” N for “New Normal in Tourism,” D for “Dialysis Center,” and I for “Institutionalization of Microfinance Programs and Access to Capital to Support Small and Medium Enterprises.” As vice chairperson of the Committee on Welfare of Children, Chan says she will ensure the enactment of a law against online sexual abuse and

exploitation of children (OSAEC). The provisions of this law, she shares in a Facebook post, will address the worries of parents when it comes to OSAEC. “Bilang isang magulang, alam

kong pareho tayo ng mga hangarin—ang panatilihing ligtas ang ating mga anak laban sa karahasan at protektahan sila sa lahat ng paraan (As a parent myself, it is our shared dream to exhaust all means to keep them safe from harm and violence),” says the mother of four. Chan puts a premium on quality education, and to make it accessible to underprivileged youth, one of her plans is to create a state college in Lapu-Lapu City, with an annex in Olango Island. The said school will provide free tuition privileges to deserving students of the city.

The First Lady of Lapu-Lapu City makes herself available whenever the mayor schedules community outreach programs via Team Ahong, Team Libre.

Livelihood projects and employment opportunities for women will be put in place, and assistance will be made available to the elderly and PWDs. To address the problem of flooding, Chan says she will find ways to secure adequate funding so they could finally implement the master drainage plan. She also plans to propose the creation of a Lapu-Lapu City District Engineering Office in Congress, so that public works projects will be implemented more promptly and efficiently. To boost Lapu-Lapu’s tourism, which is one of the city’s economic drivers, she will push for the development of lesser-known destinations like Olango Island. “There are 11 barangays there, with three islets,” Chan tells LEAGUE. “It has a marine and bird sanctuary, so that could be developed into an ecotourism spot.” During her stint as chairperson of the city’s Tourism, Cultural, and Historical Affairs Commission (TCHAC), she played a major role in mounting the country’s quincentennial celebration events, commemorating the victory of Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan. What she plans to do now as congresswoman is to find the funds for building a museum dedicated for Lapu-Lapu, which will be an added attraction in the city. She will be working closely with the Central Visayas Center for Health Development of the Department of Health (DOH) so they could establish a dialysis center that will provide free treatment to indigent patients. She has likewise proposed House Bill 3719, an act requiring the establishment of dialysis clinics in all national, regional, and provincial hospitals. To further boost the economy of Lapu-Lapu City, Chan vows to institutionalize microfinance programs that will extend financial assistance to small and medium enterprises. “My office will also look at possible partnerships with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for this purpose,” she

says.

NOT A POLITICIAN

Some are saying Chan lacks experience as a local government official prior to being elected as congresswoman. While that is true, the legislator believes that her experiences as the chairperson of the TCHAC and being active in many humanitarian causes have equipped her for public service. Perhaps, some are not really aware of her past involvement in cultural and humanitarian work, as she did these without fanfare. She is still learning the ropes as a legislator, yes. But what matters most, she says, is the heart for service. “I’m here to serve, not to be served,” she tells LEAGUE. During the pandemic, she actively participated in the relief efforts of the city, and she will continue to do so—and do even more—now in her capacity as congresswoman. The 54-year-old legislator says she didn’t plan to enter politics, but she believes in destiny. “It’s how you accept the challenge and the opportunities given to you. That defines you and makes you who you are,” says Chan.