By Dave Suan Albarado
Tubigon Mayor William Jao vented his frustration over the delayed distribution of housing aid for the victims of typhoon Odette in his town.
Jao shared his concerns during his guest appearance on the radio program Newsmakers ug Uban Pa, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy, on February 7, 2024.
He said that Tubigon was one of the most affected places in Bohol province when typhoon Odette struck more than three years ago, destroying many homes.
He said he was under the impression that the National Housing Authority (NHA) would release the aid to the affected towns in alphabetical order.
He was referring to the aid for the residents whose houses were severely damaged by the typhoon.
However, he said he was dismayed to learn that Ubay town, which comes after Tubigon in the alphabet, had already received its share of the aid, while Tubigon was still waiting.
He also said that Talibon town, another place that starts with “T”, had confirmed that it had received the aid from the NHA.
Jao said he had not yet talked to Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and First District Representative Edgar Chatto about the issue.
He also said that his political opponents had been exploiting the issue to discredit him and his allies.
He said that his rivals had been spreading false information that he had pocketed the aid for himself.
He said that this had affected the outcome of the last barangay elections, where his allies had lost.
He also criticized the online trolls who had been posting lies that he had the funds in his possession, when in fact he had not.
Political Plans
Jao, who is on his last term as mayor, said he was open to running for board member of the First District in 2025.
However, he said that his plans were not final and that he was still weighing his options.
He said that if he would run, he would join the group of Chatto, who is a member of Pundok Padayon Bol-anon, the rival party of the ruling Abante Bohol coalition led by Aumentado.
He said that two of the current board members of the First District, Benjie Arcamo and Aldner Damalerio, were also from Pundok Padayon Bol-anon.