| Governor
Erineo S. Maliksi, or Ayong as he is more popularly called,
comes from humble beginnings. His parents were simple folks
– his father was a farmer and his mother was a vegetable
vendor, who imbued in him the values of hard work, education
and genuine concern for the plight of the ordinary people.
Born
on March 25, 1938 in Imus, Governor Ayong grew up with a strong
will and determination. Poverty did not deter the young Erineo
from studying. He took his primary schooling at Anabu Elementary
School and his high school at Del Pilar Academy. During his
college days, he remembers walking miles from his house in
Anabu, Imus, to the toll bridge where he took a bus to the
university belt. His hard work earned him his Bachelor’s
degree in Political Science in 1969 at the University of the
East.
Right
after graduating from college, he worked as a clerk and later
became the secretary to then Governor Johnny Remulla. He was
later appointed chief of police of Imus where he exemplified
himself as a man of principle. This paved the way for his
later entry to politics when he was elected as vice mayor
of Imus, and marked the beginning of a long and eventful political
career.
As a public servant, the ordinary people saw and felt in him,
in his style of work, in his programs, a sympathetic leader,
a people’s champion. More than public service, he envisioned
progress for the town of Imus and successfully led the municipality
to development. As mayor of Imus for ten years (1988-1998),
he dramatically made the town, which was then a third class
municipality, into Cavite’s very first 1st class municipality
that it is right now. This was despite Imus’ lack of
economic zones similar to the First Cavite Industrial Estate
(FCIE) in Dasmariñas, EPZA in Rosario and the People’s
Technology Park in Carmona. He also made Imus famous as the
“Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” As mayor,
he championed the cause of the environment. He pioneered Imus’
Zero Waste Management Program, and founded Makakalikasan Foundation
and Sagip-Ilog ng Cavite Foundation.
He continued his advocacy for the environment when he was
elected in 1998 as representative for the 2nd District of
Cavite in the House of Representatives and later as governor
when he decided to run and won against then Governor Bong
Revilla, Jr. in 2001. He also initiated reforms in local governance
and promulgated “Pananaw ng Kabite,” now being
propagated province-wide, and it reads:
Makasaysayang
Kabite.
Lupain ng Bayaning Mamamayan.
Buo ang Loob sa Pagbabago.
Matagumpay sa Pandaigdigang Larangan.
Governor
Maliksi proclaims that this is Cavite’s covenant with
the future, for which he has asked every Caviteño’s
support. His vision is anchored on the great history of Cavite
and its people. His flagship projects confirm his determination
to uplift the living standards of Caviteños. Some of
these projects include: construction of more road infrastructures
to add more entry-exit points in Cavite, housing for Cavite’s
homeless, cooperative development, tourism, scholarship for
deserving students, better agricultural technology, improved
health services, peace and order, improving the traffic situation,
attraction of more foreign investments and others.
Today, beginning his third term as governor, he has continuously
earned himself distinctions as a public servant and his programs
has served as blueprints for other local government units.
For instance, the DOLE has recognized Cavite as the only province
with a comprehensive program for the informal sector. Under
his leadership, the province has been considered as the Cooperative
Capital of the Philippines. He has also won for himself numerous
awards for the provincial government’s health programs
including a Hall of Fame as Regional Sandugo Outstanding Local
Chief Executive and twice a national awardee for the same
category.
He likewise sits as a member of the Council of Advisers of
the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
A man who is easily distinguished for his grey hair, a leader
known for his gentle and mild demeanor, Governor Ayong Maliksi
is actually a man of firm conviction and persuasion. Behind
the gentleness of the man is a tough spirit that has engaged
in many difficult battles with formidable adversaries and
won every single battle.
He is married to the former Olivia Leonardo and blessed with
two children: one of them the incumbent mayor of Imus.
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