Siquijor Province—“Today, forget your dignity and assume your responsibility.” This was the challenge posed by Msgr. Candelario “Larry” Catubig of the Vicariate of Siquijor in his Homily during the Holy Mass that graced the inauguration of newly elected and re-elected officials in Siquijor province.

Msgr. Catubig admitted though that leading and serving is not easy because when one serves, responsibility rises more than dignity, he said.

“A single mistake will be magnified,” he said adding that people tend to see the black in them so that they see more of their weaknesses rather than their accomplishments. With the challenge, Catubig lauded Siquijor provincial leadership for the development it brings to the province.

“Development can be seen in Siquijor in all fields,” he said as he cited some of the administration’s accomplishments in the province in the past years.

Agreeing to the challenge, Representative Orlando B. Fua of the lone district of Siquijor also assured Siquijodnon of his unchanging support through his so called “deeply-rooted policy of sharing” which he realized through the implementation of programs and projects from the “bounty of government” through his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

“Look at how government money is being spent in the province,” he said referring mostly to the asphalted, if not cemented roads, ports and other infra projects and the several other tourism and livelihood assistance for the people of Siquijor.

Siquijor is one of the best governed province in the Philippines…, education in Siquijor ranks and remains high in spite of the grueling hardships experienced globally…, the lifestyle of the people has practically changed to a “lifestyle of ease and convenience,” are few of the visible impacts of positive development in the province he claimed were due to the officials’ and the people’s cooperation “in the pursuit of our goals to improve our island,” Cong. Fua said.

He specifically shared the report from the United Development Programme (UNDP) through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) that named Siquijor as the "most improved province" in the country in terms of income.

The 2008/2009 Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR) financed by the UNDP and the New Zealand Agency for International Development said Siquijor, Benguet and Biliran were the top gainers between 2003 and 2006 in terms of UNDP's Human Development Index (HDI).

From 2003-2006, the period covered by the 2008/09 PHDR, HDI levels increased for 51 provinces and declined for 27, including Metro Manila. The province of Siquijor was cited as the most improved in human development, together with Benguet, Biliran.

The index measures the "average achievement in a country" in terms of "longevity, knowledge, and standard of living."

The Congressman however attributed most of the development to the support he got from the National government that continuously poured in a number of projects to improve the lives of the people.

“If the going was great and good, it was because I have a very cooperative President,” he said while also admitting that sustaining growth may be a bit hard this time, now that they are in the opposition.

Still, the Congressman vowed he would “stand and fight to the end until the people of Siquijor are dearly redeemed.”

“Give me your confidence, give me your support both physical and spiritual. Above all, pray for me to restore my will..the will to fight and fight for the province of Siquijor ,” Cong. Fua finally said.(PIA-Siquijor)