Zamboanga del Sur Hon. Governor Antonio H. Cerilles Governance with Positive but Firm Tack

By: JOSE F. SARSOZA JR.

Vigilance is the result of vigorous, concerted efforts in giving back to the constituency what they deserve—in health and welfare, education, livelihood, peace and order, sports development, you name it. And the solution to the problem of dangerous drugs that confronts the youth.

Vigilance, that science of being alert that makes the doer responsive to the issue at hand, has accentuated the confidence of the electorates to the administration of Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H. Cerilles, spurring him and his provincial officers and staff to pursue their projects with tenacity, credibility and introspective optimism. The seat of the provincial government is in Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.

As always the case, at least for this writer, the first few moments of an interview are marked with hesitation and tenseness. Sitting down with Governor Cerilles was, in fact, more than that: the dread factor could not be ruled out considering his girth and the position he holds as the number one citizen of the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Just then Pastor Segundino Asoy, my companion, handed his cellular phone over to the governor. Former Undersecretary Teddy Rivera, the governor's very good friend and buddy, was on the other end of the line. "Ted," the governor said in an intimate and serious tone, "Dr. Sarsoza (he called me "Dr.") is here and he told me you were his student before." But before Usec Ted could answer, the governor proceeded, "I asked him if you were a good student, but he changed the subject right away."

A hearty guffaw followed and even Usec Ted's laughter was audible, and with that all feelings of uneasiness in me vanished.

The governor's humor notwithstanding, it became evident as our interview progressed, that his style of governance is focused on a positive yet firm framework. On the drug menace that afflicts young people today, Cerilles said his government "has been a strong advocate of scouting where young people can channel their energies through wholesome and productive activities that will help themselves and their fellow citizens."

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Jose F. Sarsoza Jr. is editor in chief of Health & Home.