By Cyrus A. Natividad

Re-elected Mayor Mary Jean N. Te advocates for a sustainable development for the Municipality of Libertad, Antique.

Libertad is a 5th class municipality in the province of Antique, where Centralian Mayor Mary Jean Nicopior Te (Pol Sci Batch 1984) bestows her love to serve and improve the lives of the people.

Te has been an incumbent Mayor of Libertad from 1998 until 2007. She was first sworn into government office as municipal councilor (1995-1998) of Libertad. She completed the first tenure as municipal mayor, and the hiatus in the political scene had been a period of discernment. While enjoying a beautiful life in Canada where she had been employed for 6 years, the call of service in her native hometown sent her back home and it paved a way to seek again the mayoral post which she won in the election of May 2016, and also in the next election last May 2019. Since then, once again, she has been steadfastly active as a public servant. She then once again won as Mayor in the last May 2022 elections and is serving her last term.

Bringing home the lessons and appreciation of development initiatives in the foreign land, she became a stronger advocate for sustainable development. Her comeback to government service becomes the extension of her interrupted programs of her previous administration and that of her predecessor’s. She commenced the work where she last left them, with renewed vigor and a clearer vision.

Way back in 1998-2007 during her first term as the Local Chief Executive, she headed the LIPASECU (which stands for Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi) Baywide Management Council (and presently elected as Chairperson) and the Northwest Panay Peninsula Biodiversity Council— the alliances of four northern municipalities and Northwest Panay Peninsula covering the municipalities of Buruanga and Malay of the province of Aklan, and Pandan and Libertad. Both Councils calls for the management and conservation of the upland biodiversity and the flora and fauna of coastal environments, respectively. Libertad is known as one of the ecological frontiers in the province of Antique.

For the entire period of her leadership, Mayor Te consistently brings to the consciousness of the constituents the importance of conservation both in the upland and coastal areas, coupled with the implementation of laws and providing interventions.

Mayor Te commits herself to service and focuses on her visions to a BRIGHTER Libertad to achieve. Hence, Better revenue and resource mobilization; Responsive governance and responsible citizenry; Institutional linkaging, partnership and innovative mechanism; Green growth and economy; Healthy populace and with food available in every home; Tourism as economic driver; Educated and trained populace; and, Ridge to reef planning and development. This is a significant accomplishment of the Te administration.

She believes that, “Responsive governance understands the need and identifies the solutions to improve the welfare of the local constituents.” She assured that the welfare of the Libertadnons is her primary concern, and a safe environment for the children, women, families and every sector in the community should be guaranteed.

Mayor Te proudly promotes Libertad as the ecological biodiversity frontier, the gateway to prime tourist spots like Boracay, and home to natural splendor and culture that truly sets apart Libertad from other places.

The initiatives of Mayor Te and her administration have created waves to other government agencies and non-government organizations, thus gaining more opportunities or access to funding assistance, and further enhance her development programs. It also creates a spot in the map and exposure, as the municipality has become one of the destinations for learning visits and ecotourism.

She was chosen to represent the country to Rome, Italy for the international FAO-COFI 33rd annual congress of nations that are members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – Committee on Fisheries (COFI).

Her dedication and commitment to promote sustainable development becomes an inspiration to other countries that she was sent to Tokyo, Japan for the Philippines-Japan Fisheries Learning Exchange in October 2017. In both occasions, she presented the country’s best practices, and that of her hometown’s, on coastal resource management and sustainable fishing/livelihood, giving emphasis on the strategies that the local government unit employs in overcoming the challenges and targets.

In March 6 of this year, she was also chosen as a featured speaker to present the LGU practices and accomplishments regarding the LGU strategies to promote the Preferential Rights for Municipal Fishers for the National Coastal Fisheries Summit at Cebu City, attended by the municipal local chief executives from all over the country.

Among others, Te’s achievements include The Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS) Award – a regional commendation from the DSWD regional Field Office for the municipality’s commitment in implementing DSWD programs and services, awarded February 23, 2019; Model LGU Implementing KALAHI-CIDSS Program and Model LGU Implementing Livelihood Program (SLP).

Libertad passed the Good Financial Housekeeping for the years 2017 and 2018 (a component of Seal of Good Governance) – highlighting the LGU’s practice of transparency and accountability through full compliance to full disclosure policy; presence of unqualified or COA Opinion and compliance to at least 30% of previous year’s COA recommendations

Most Culture Sensitive IP Engagement – a recognition given to the LGU from the DSWD for empowering indigenous people and its organizations, and integrating sustainable programs that protect the welfare and rights of the cultural minority members.

Best in Second Semester Municipal Talakayan – an award given to the LGU for exemplary conduct of Municipal Talakayan, a consultative meeting/ planning workshop involving the different sectors in the community

Fish Forever Champion – a recognition given to the league of conservation fellows for strong commitment and passion towards environmental conservation through Fish Forever Pride Campaign.

Over-all Champion in Pasundayag – a recognition of the municipality’s outstanding performance and participation in the events/competitions in the cultural celebration of Antique’s Binirayan Festival highlighting the municipality’s indigenous culture, talents, trade fair and local products promotion

Recipient of a learning exchange on sustainable fisheries in Tokyo, Japan thru the Rare Philippines. Best PAMB Member – awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional (DENR) Field Office 6 on June 29, 2018

Mayor Te has been President – League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Antique Chapter; Auditor – League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) National Chapter; Chairperson – LIPASECU Baywide Management Council, Member – Northwest Panay Biodiversity Council, and Member – Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)