A Heartfelt Farewell: Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz Concludes 9 Years of Service to Kalibo

By:Jun N. Aguirre

As she completes her third and final term in office — marking nine years of committed service to the people of Kalibo — Vice Mayor Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz looks back with deep gratitude and fulfillment for the opportunity to serve her beloved hometown and the greater province of Aklan.

First and foremost, Dr. Dela Cruz gives thanks to God for His constant guidance, protection, and the gift of good health that allowed her to carry out her duties through the years. She also expresses heartfelt gratitude to her family for their endless understanding and encouragement, knowing that much of her time was dedicated to public service and to the needs of her constituents.

Dr. Dela Cruz extends her sincere appreciation to the Executive Department — having worked with three mayors during her time in office — and to all her fellow councilors in the Sangguniang Bayan. Together, they fostered a spirit of collaboration and public service, enacting legislation that has left a lasting impact on Kalibo’s progress.

Her first term as councilor was marked by a prolific legislative output, including Kalibo’s landmark Comprehensive No-Smoking and No-Vaping Ordinance — a vital public health measure that continues to benefit the community.

As Vice Mayor from 2019 to 2025, Dr. Dela Cruz led the council in passing numerous ordinances and resolutions focused on healthcare, environmental protection, and sustainable development. She was instrumental in securing the approval of Kalibo’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) in 2019 — an achievement that now serves as a roadmap for the town’s future growth.

She also worked tirelessly to channel more resources to the barangays. Under her leadership, the Barangay Development Special Project Fund rose from ₱100,000 to ₱1 million per barangay annually, starting in 2019. This, along with additional support from municipal, provincial, and congressional sources, allowed more barangays to open new roads and implement community improvements. The SB Special Barangay Allocation likewise increased from ₱50,000 to ₱200,000, providing barangays greater flexibility to address local needs.

Dr. Dela Cruz warmly acknowledges the hardworking staff of the Sangguniang Bayan Office and her Vice Mayor’s Team, whose dedication helped bring many of these reforms to life. Together, their efforts earned the Kalibo SB Council multiple recognitions, including 1st Place in the Provincial Local Legislative Award (LLA) and 2nd Place in the Regional LLA in 2023. Under her term, Kalibo also proudly secured the national Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for three consecutive years.

In her later years in office, Dr. Dela Cruz championed meaningful healthcare initiatives — from legislation supporting the development of the Kalibo Municipal Hospital (currently in progress) and the establishment of Rural Health Center 1 in Barangay Andagao, to the “Blood Samaritan” program, which assists indigent patients with life-saving blood units. She also pushed for the creation of a public dental clinic at RHU 2 to provide free dental care to low-income residents.

In 2023, she launched the Model Barangay Project — an initiative that motivated all barangays to actively implement government programs and policies, ensuring that public services truly reached the grassroots.

Within the administrative sphere, Dr. Dela Cruz spearheaded system reforms in franchise processing, streamlining procedures to reduce delays and improve efficiency. She initiated the adoption of ISO standards within the SB Office, with the goal of eventually expanding these improvements across other departments. Programs for staff development and free healthcare were also introduced. In 2019, she launched the quarterly SB Newsletter to enhance transparency and keep the public informed of the council’s work.

Throughout her tenure as Vice Mayor, Dr.

Dela Cruz consistently supported the initiatives of the mayors she served alongside — diligently holding daily office hours, presiding over weekly council sessions, attending flag ceremonies, and representing the municipal government at numerous public events and official functions. Her dedication to duty and strong presence made her a true public servant, committed to fulfilling her responsibilities in both word and deed.

As she closes this chapter of her public life, Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz offers her deepest appreciation to the people of Kalibo and the entire province of Aklan:

“Serving the people of Kalibo has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I will forever be grateful for the trust you placed in me, for the partnerships we built, and for your constant support and encouragement. Thank you for the experiences and valuable lessons I have learned along the way. Every award, every project, and every piece of legislation was made possible because of you — the people we serve. Our shared victories are a testament to what we can achieve when we work hand in hand, with sincere hearts and a common goal of making Kalibo a better place for all. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Even as her term in office ends, Dr. Dela Cruz remains hopeful and committed to seeing Kalibo continue to grow and thrive. She believes in the power of community collaboration, in the fulfillment of commitments, and in good service — values that she will continue to uphold in whatever path lies ahead.