The Benguet provincial board, composed of 10 regular members, three ex-officios and one indigenous peoples’ mandatory representative, has formed 24 committees during its first meeting on July 4.
Heading the committee on agriculture is Ruben Paoad with Neptali Camsol as co-chair, and Marie Rose Kepes, Roberto Canuto, ex-officio member Sangguniang Kabataan Benguet Federation President Jeston Balong-angey, Juan Nazarro, Jr. and Joel Tingbaoen, Jr. as members.
Paoad will also head the committee on labor and employment with ex-officio member Philippine Councilors League-Benguet Federation Cruso Daguioa, Jr. as vice chair while the members are Fernando Balaodan, Sr., Roberto Canuto, Crispin Mariano, Jr., and IPMR Recto Alawas.
Liga ng mga Barangay-Benguet President Crispin Mariano, Jr. will chair the committee on barangay affairs with Florencio Bentrez as vice chair. The members are Jeston Balong-angey, Alexander Fianza, Balaodan, and Johannes Amuasen.
Tingbaoen will head the committee on cooperatives and civil society organizations with Balaodan as vice chair. He will also head the committee on public utilities, transportation, communication, science and technology with Nazarro as vice chair.
The disaster risk reduction and management committee is headed by Fianza with Paoad as vice chair. He will also lead the social services, women and family committee with Kepes as vice chair Kepes.
Balaodan will chair the committee on education with Nazarro as vice chair. He will also head the public order and safety committee with vice chair Camsol.
Nazarro will chair the environment and natural resources committee, including the tourism and arts committee with Kepes as vice chair in both committees.
The finance and appropriation committee was given to Bentrez with Balaodan as the vice chair while the members are Camsol, Nazarro, Canuto, Fianza, and Mariano. The former Tuba mayor will also handle the personnel administration committee.
Kepes will sit as chair of the committee on health and sanitation with vice chair Alawas. She will also chair the trade and industry committee with vice chair Nazarro.
Alawas automatically heads the indigenous cultural communities and IPs affairs with vice chair Canuto.
Balong-angey will head the committee on youth and sports development committee with Camsol as vice chair.
Daguioa will head the land use and housing with Balaodan as vice chair.
Amuasen will steer the mining and energy committee with vice chair Nazarro. He will also head the committee on rules with vice chair Paoad.
The public works and infrastructure committee is chaired by Canuto with Balaodan as vice chair. He will also head the senior citizens and veterans’ affairs with vice chair Bentrez.
The ways and means committee will be led by Neptali Camsol, vice chair Amuasen, and members Paoad, Canuto, Nazarro, Alawas, and Bentrez.
Vice Gov. Ericson Felipe will lead the committee of the whole with vice chair Kepes and all of the SP officials as members. – Ofelia C. Empian
