MAYORAL candidate Oscar Moreno vowed to restore the city’s former glory as he launched the ‘Lihok Katawhan’ movement at the Atrium, Limketkai, yesterday, March 27.
“We can make Mindanao great again, and we must make Cagayan de Oro great again,” Moreno declared during the event.
Lihok Katawhan is a grassroots initiative advocating good governance. It is led by the Padayon Pilipino group, headed by 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan and Moreno.
Teddy Sabuga-a, campaign manager for the Padayon-OSM team, said the movement aims to unite various sectors in the city to push for reforms.
“Kini ang bugtong hinagiban (the movement) sa katawhan gikan sa mismanagement, inhustisya ug pakitang tao sa City Hall karon,” Sabuga-a said.
The event gathered representatives from Indigenous groups, farmers, transport workers, youth, persons with disabilities, fisherfolk, and the LGBTQ+ community. Sabuga-a pointed out that civil society’s participation is vital for capacity-building.
“Importante kaayo nga mubarog kita ug makiglambigit para sa maluntarong kalambuan sa Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
Moreno, a former mayor, reaffirmed his commitment to reclaiming the city’s leadership.
“These moments are very special to us because these moments tell us, the power really belongs to somebody else. That the power belongs to the sovereign people of Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for competent governance.
“Importante kaayo nakasabot kita sa problema sa basura. Problema lang sa simple nga good management, concept sensitive, and a government (that) knows what (the) people need,” Moreno said.
Aloma Beja Emano, wife of the late political leader and Padayon Pilipino founder Vicente Emano, attended the event to express support for the Paglaum-OSM team.
Meanwhile, the team of incumbent Mayor Rolando Uy and 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is set to hold its ‘Dungan Kita Mubarog, Isyagit Nato’g Kusog’ forum today.
