Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Matugas files COC for governor
SURIGAO Del Norte, Philippines — Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo Bagtik Moserbisyo” Matugas II filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the province’s gubernatorial post on October 8.
Accompanying him were his family as well as key candidates of Team Bagtik – Lakas-CMD and Padajon Surigao party, who also filed their respective COCs. They are: Atty. Lalo Matugas for representative of the 1st District of Surigao del Norte; Atty. Junjun Egay for representative of the 2nd District; Senior Board Member Bully Navarro for vice governor; and Engr. Nitoy Matugas for Surigao City mayor.
Prior to filing, Matugas, the provincial head of Lakas-CMD party, held a special mass at the Surigao Cathedral. Afterwards, he and his provincial slate walked to the provincial Commission on Elections office to file their COC’s.
More than 4,000 supporters attended the mass and joined the walk, with many joining voluntarily from various parts of the community. The turnout reflected widespread grassroots support for the candidates of Lakas-CMD Padajon Surigao party.
Matugas is finishing his third term as representative of the 1st District of Surigao Del Norte, more fondly known as Siargao Island. Currently, he is the chairperson of the special committee on land use and vice chairperson of the following committees: committee on appropriations, committee on tourism, and committee on suffrage and electoral reforms in the 19th Congress.
Article continues after this advertisementMatugas is known for authoring the legislation that established the first national (level two) hospital in Siargao Island (RA 11500). He is also known for the enactment of the SIPLAS Law that secured national protection over Siargao Island’s ecosystem and natural resources (RA 11038), the construction of the iconic Catangnan-Cabitoonan bridges (popularly known as AFAM bridge), the completion of the Siargao International Cruise and Cargo Port, and the establishment of the Surigao del Norte State University.
Article continues after this advertisementBeyond legislation, Matugas is very active on the ground, ensuring the needs of his constituents are met through medical and financial assistance programs, scholarship programs, and human capital development programs.
READ: Plunder case vs ex-Governor Matugas ‘false, malicious’ – lawmaker son
In his bid for governor, Matugas shared his vision for the province, “I have seen the potential of Surigao del Norte firsthand, and I know we can do more. My decision to run for Governor is grounded in a deep desire to continue our work and extend our successes in Siargao to the whole province. I want to ensure that every family feels the progress we are making.”
Matugas highlighted his deep connection to the people of Surigao del Norte, noting that his candidacy is driven by the desire to serve and uplift the province.
“I am a lumad (trans. native) na Surigaonon. Surigao del Norte is my home, and I am committed to giving back a “bagtik (trans. excellent/progressive) na serbisyo” to my home. I want to see a Surigao del Norte where no one is left behind, where every Surigaonon has the tools they need to thrive,” Matugas said as he concluded his remarks after the filing of his candidacy.