I enjoyed reading TJ Burgonio’s report on “‘Islands of hope’ to go on campus tour” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7/31/08), which included my province-mate Jesse Robredo. If I remember right, Robredo has been a consistent outstanding local executive of the country, owing to his down-to-earth style of governance, which he has applied since he became the city mayor of Naga City (dubbed the “Heart of Bicol”) after resigning as head of the Bicol River Basin Development agency.

Another model local executive is Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela province who defeated Faustino Dy, a well-entrenched political kingpin who had been ruling the province for more than four decades. Then there is Gov. Eddie Panlilio, the priest-turned-politician who beat two political giants of Pampanga province (the Lapid and Pineda families) and became popular for his good governance, collecting P5 million in quarry taxes in his first five days in office (Inquirer, 7,8/07)—thus outsmarting former governor-now-senator Lito Lapid and his successor-son Gov. Mark Lapid in quarry tax collection, which was tainted with irregularities during their incumbencies as governor of the province for many years.

Similarly, Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, replaced a disqualified candidate and “implemented development programs that empowered citizens to improve the delivery of services” in her town.

Kudos to them for the unparalleled feat and a job well done.

GODOFREDO O. PETEZA SR., JP Rizal Street, Barangay Camambugan, 4600 Daet, Camarines Norte