A Mother’s Triumph Over Adversity

Now on her second term as local chief executive of Cabadbaran City, Mayor Judy Chin-Amante embraces new challenges and opportunities with renewed vigor. Recently, she discovered a new passion that mirrors her life’s journey: riding big bikes.

RIDING THROUGH THE ROAD OF OBSTACLES

The twists and turns of Amante’s life as a single mother are so much like navigating the open and rough road on a big bike. Both require resilience, balance, and an unwavering sense of direction. Just as she leans into every curve with confidence on her motorcycle, she has faced life's challenges head-on, finding strength in every struggle and joy in every journey.

Amante has always had a passion for riding motorcycles, dating back to her high school days. She never had the opportunity to drive big motorcycles though, preferring instead to ride scooters. Recently, she became intrigued about the idea of riding big bikes after hearing her fellow city officials discuss it as an after-work hobby. They then urged her to give it a try. At first, she hesitated because she was intimidated by the size of the motorcycles. However, she felt challenged by the sight of women riding such large bikes. She was nervous during her first ride, but felt a sense of fulfillment upon realizing that she had overcome her fear. After that, she went on a training program to further equip herself to ride big bikes safely. “I wanted to overcome the fear. When I saw girls on TikTok who were already proficient, I couldn't help but wonder, ‘Why can they do it? Why can't I?’ That's why I diligently trained," she reveals.

The lady mayor, along with friends and some city officials, would traverse some highways and hilly roads in Cabadbaran to destress and sometimes check on the situation of communities they pass by. Reflecting on this, she says that her foray into the world of motorcycling is not merely a personal interest but a symbol of breaking barriers and limitations. She resolves that conquering the fear of riding large motorcycles, particularly on highways, mirrors her determination to overcome the obstacles she faces as Cabadbaran's chief executive.

RIDING BIG BIKES SYMBOLIZES AMANTE'S LIFE JOURNEY, REFLECTING RESILIENCE, COURAGE, AND OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, BOTH ON THE ROAD AND IN HER ROLES AS A SINGLE MOTHER AND PUBLIC SERVANT.

She acknowledges that her inaugural term as mayor presented significant obstacles because of her lack of experience in local governance. Her second term, however, presented a different scenario, as she ran unopposed in the 2022 election. She says that her victory was an affirmation of the people’s satisfaction with her administration’s performance during her first term. She emphasizes that, despite facing no opposition in the previous elections, she should not become complacent and instead strive to maintain, if not surpass, the progress she has made. "I need to push for even bigger efforts to genuinely realize what I have envisioned for my city through a collaborative undertaking with vital development stakeholders," she says.

BLUEPRINT FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Amante acknowledges that she still has much to learn about the intricacies of local governance, especially since being mayor is a complex job that requires considerable time and effort. Being in touch with the people at the grassroots is her energy booster. "It's a fulfilling experience to see people smile and be happy when I do mass civil weddings and go to communities to visit the elderly who are milestone awardees," she shares. One of her pet projects is giving milestone awards to citizens who have reached 86 years of age and above. She would personally bring cakes and balloons to their homes. She expresses her fulfillment in witnessing the smiles on these elderly citizens' faces when they hear people sing a birthday song, encourages them to blow their cakes, and presents them with a PhP20,000 cash incentive from her office. "I sometimes couldn't make it on the exact date of their birthday due to important functions, but I always make sure to visit their homes.There were even instances where some of them lived alone. It’s a heartfelt experience.”

The mayor is currently working on her flagship project, the Cabadbaran City Sports Complex. Cabadbaran, the capital city of Agusan del Norte, requires a comprehensive infrastructure development plan that is in harmony with and complements the influx of activities that the city will be hosting, according to Amante. This project will be a boon in the improvement and revitalization of the city's economy, thereby fostering sustainable progress.

Amante acknowledges that this sports complex, to be built on a five-hectare lot, is an ambitious project and has faced significant challenges. Prior to the start of construction, the project underwent a rigorous and demanding process, particularly the approval of the comprehensive development plan and its design. "We had to carefully consider the project's purpose and compliance with standards to ensure the effective and appropriate utilization of available resources. This will also help address the city's need for more recreational spaces for year-round activities," she reveals. Currently, the project is in Phase 2 of land development, focusing on elevating the area to prevent future flooding.

Amante is also focusing on helping support squash pancit production, an initiative that has earned Cabadbaran great pride for the product's nutritional benefits, flavor, and quality. Squash pancit is now gaining popularity after the Food and Drug Administration approved its production. The city government approved the funds for additional land to improve its production facility, especially since demand for the product has increased. Some Pasalubong Centers, DTI Negosyo Centers, local grocery stores, and public markets sell this pancit not only as pasalubong or token to tourists but also to expand its market coverage and offer a healthier alternative to conventional products. A cooperative of farmers and residents of Barangay Katugasan manages and operates the squash pancit production.

The mayor is currently concentrating on increasing efforts to attract investors to Cabadbaran. Branches of a well-known department store and a national food chain are currently under construction in the city. She is pleased with this development because it will create more jobs, especially for the graduates from their local colleges and university.

Amante is also considering ways to enhance the water supply in Cabadbaran, given the depletion of potable water sources. The city government is now looking at proposals from different water concessionaires to choose the one that can respond to the people's water supply needs and requirements.

I NEED TO PUSH FOR EVEN BIGGER EFFORTS TO GENUINELY REALIZE WHAT I HAVE ENVISIONED FOR MY CITY THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE UNDERTAKING WITH VITAL DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS.

The mayor’s administration has also established a resettlement housing project in Barangay Comagascas for 70 families who were previously living in Sabang Dike in Barangay 3. Imelda Gomez, one of the beneficiaries, now lives with her family in one of the houses and is grateful that they were able to acquire the property. These 70 families do not live on the property for free. They pay PhP1,500 per month to the city government, and this monthly amortization will continue for 25 years. According to Gomez, it is quite difficult to pay the monthly amortization, but the amount is insignificant in contrast to the anxiety and risk they used to encounter each time the water levels in the dike would rise. Her husband is a tricycle driver, and her daughter, who is already married, set up a mini sari-sari store in their new house to cover the monthly amortization.

According to Amante, the resettlement and squash pancit production projects are just two of the sustainable programs her administration is implementing. She is committed to empowering the people, ensuring they are not solely dependent on government handouts. Thus, she ensures that the program she implements is sustainable. She encourages the people of Cabadbaran to work hard for themselves in order to have a sustainable income. "It's not always that they will just rely on what the mayor is giving them. If you develop that culture in them, they will just wait," she explains. She cites the assistance provided to farmers as an example. The mayor states that while the city government helps the farmers, it also finds ways to link them to the proper agencies that could help them with skills training, enabling them to become self-sufficient and establish a sustainable project.

NURTURING COMMITMENT AND MARRIAGE

Amante acknowledges that her role as a mother and her experiences as a single parent provide an advantage in her current role as mayor. She also treats city affairs the same way she handles matters in her home. She expresses her meticulousness in allocating the funds, particularly considering their limited resources in comparison to the number of priorities requiring funding. Therefore, she consistently prioritizes programs for children, such as Pahalipay sa Kabataan (Joy for the Children), which provides toys, food packs, and groceries. “I know how painful it is when you can’t provide your kids with their basic needs and give in to their simple desires that would give them happiness, like having toys. That’s why, when I became mayor, I doubled the number of beneficiaries of regular city programs for children, from the little over a thousand plus kids,” she says.

Amante believes that she is not just a public servant but also a mother to the city of Cabadbaran. However, she always makes it a point not to make her biological children the least priority. She stresses that her demanding role as mayor should never serve as an excuse for her not to find quality time for them. “It’s all about proper time management. At least once a year, I should plan an outof-town or out-of-country trip to compensate for the missed opportunities to spend time with my kids. A simple call to check on how they are doing after a day at school or work will suffice,” she reveals.

Amante is aware that, given her husband's family's prominence as influential politicians, there is an expectation that their children will follow their parents' and paternal relatives' political careers. She understands that joining politics will put pressure on her children; that’s why she does not push this matter on them. While she clarifies that she will never stop her children from taking the political path if they so choose, given that this is the environment they have grown accustomed to, she would prefer to see them traverse the paths that bring them happiness. “If they need a mother, I'll assist and guide them. I let my children discover, develop, and become their own selves. I hope and pray my values and guidance will guide them to the right path and make proper decisions,” she stresses.

Amante recalls that she never imagined she would become mayor of Cabadbaran. Despite setbacks in her personal life and political career, however, she has triumphantly risen to give her constituents the service they deserve. For now, she says that she is married to Cabadbaran and its people and is committed to giving all she can to make the marriage work. Although her marriage contract with the city and its people is time-bound, she has pledged to continue supporting and serving them, even beyond her tenure as mayor of Cabadbaran. “I can continue with my passion to serve and help transform people’s lives. I never imagined that I would reach this far in life, but despite the challenges and trials I have faced, I succeeded in serving the people. The experience has been overwhelming and humbling. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve and lead this city to its rightful place as Agusan del Norte's capital city," she stresses.

Mayor Judy Chin-Amante is still in her second term, and she intends to serve as mayor of Cabadbaran for yet another term, ready to lead the city past the challenges that may come their way.