Jagna Mayor Joseph Rañola on Monday announced that he will be stepping down from office, making him the first local chief executive in the province to voluntarily relinquish his post in recent years.

In an interview over station dyRD on Monday night, Rañola said that he will officially resign in December and will be replaced by Vice Mayor Teofisto Pagar.

According to Rañola, he will again focus on his work as budget consultant for national government officials, requiring him to frequently be in Metro Manila.

“Karon og tua ko didto sa Manila unsa man puy akong mapakita na respeto sa mga taw so ang akong huna-huna karon na magpakumbaba nalang unya mao ra man ni ang atong kaya,” said Rañola.

Rañola as chief executive officer and founder of the Center for National Budget had been working with legislators both in the Senate and the House of Representatives in their budgeting agenda before he was first elected mayor in 2019.

“Modesty aside, usa ta mamahimong mayor, 30 years na ko sa atong advocacy on national budget. Nanghinayang ko, so kiung dili na nako ipadayon, sayang tong 30 years nako. I don’t have the luxury of time, I’m getting older also, para madayon nako ang advocacy sa national budget,” he added.

Rañola who is on his second term as mayor stressed that he will be retiring from politics.

However, the mayor noted that he will still seek to help his hometown through his work with legislators.

“Ang akoang advocacy which is in relation to the national budget usa pud sa susi na makatabang ko sa Jagna. So mobalik ta sa Manila sa pagpangandoy na makatabang gyud gihapon ko sa Jagna,” he said.

Rañola also expressed optimism that Pagar who was his running mate during the 2022 polls will be able to step up and serve the town well.

“Ang magpadayon niini ang mayo gyud ug batan-on na willing mo learn ug daghan na pud siya og nakat-onan na si Vice Mayor Pagar,” said Rañola.

Pagar will be replaced by the town’s first councilor, Wilson Villalon, as vice mayor. (A. Doydora)