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By GIRLIE BALABA
of Team OKKA . 

LOOKING at the scope and magnitude of societal problems can be very overwhelming. To some, hopelessness cannot be helped. But I am grateful that I was raised to believe that there is always hope and that we may not be able to solve all the problems facing us, but we sure can do something, one step at a time. This is primarily the reason why I am aspiring for a seat in the City Council of Cagayan de Oro. I see an opportunity to be of service, a chance to help, to contribute. As a registered nurse and my work in the media has increased my awareness of the LGBTQ community and I am offering myself to be their voice in the City Council. Through regular consultations with them my goal is to really understand their plight and be able to work with the City Council in coming up with local ordinances or legislation that will address their needs and ultimately help improve their lives.

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When serving the public, the welfare of the many is of utmost importance. As public servants we will be expected to put the interest and the welfare of our constituents over ourselves, and we are ready.

I am truly thankful that I belong to the Team OKKA – we have clearly identified and set for our team a common goal, we know what it will take to accomplish it, we understand that each of use have a role to play in its accomplishment, and we are willing and committed to give our best shot, individually and collectively, to make it happen. As early as now we are working as a team and there’s no place in our group for “I’s”; only “Us”, and we are unanimous in our commitment to work towards a better Cagayan de Oro City.

As candidates we have our own individual platforms of government; we have our own advocacy. What I really like about our team is we understand that as a team we complement one another. There’s no competition in Team OKKA. As we serve together we will be contributing our individual brand of service, uniquely, but always as one team.

To many this may be cliche but I am not in competition with anyone. Yes, I am in a political exercise where people will choose from among many candidates, and somehow there will be comparisons between me and others, and people will choose others over me and then there will be those who will choose me over others. But I am unique and what I am offering is uniquely mine, The work that I will be doing should I be given the chance, the kind of service I will be giving will be my own brand. It cannot and should never be compared with anyone else.

Together with Team OKKA, we have already visited some schools in the District. I have personally talked to the schoolchildren, the teachers and the parents. I have also visited with women groups in some of the barangays. I have talked to people with disabilities and I can truly say I am excited with the prospect of serving them in the future. I hope I will be given the chance to do something good for those who need it most.

(Girlie Balaba has filed her certificate of candidacy for a seat in the city council.)

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