TUBAO, La Union, June 30 (PIA) -- Elected and re-elected officials from the second district of La Union headed by Representative Dante S. Garcia were sworn in to office on Tuesday at the Tubao Civic Center here.

Newly-elected Rep. Garcia along with the officials from the towns of Tubao, Aringay, Agoo, Sto. Tomas, Bagulin, Pugo, Rosario, and Burgos took their oath of office before Judge Romeo M. Atillo, Jr., the presiding judge of Agoo, La Union RTC Branch 31.

During the election period, Garcia wooed the voters with his promise of “bringing the government as closest as possible to the people.”

“In order to change the lives of our people, free them from the baggage of poverty and deprivation,” he said.

He added that he will ensure that all citizens of the second district of the province will be treated equal in terms of opportunities and social services.

Among his priorities include the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) – Alipang National High School and the creation of DMMMSU Agoo College of Medicine as well as College of Criminology in Naguilian.

He added that he will put emphasis on improving further the sectors of tourism, agriculture, and health.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Mario Ortega attended the oath-taking rites and inspired all the winning candidates to use their position to service the needs of their citizens.

“Use your heart then your brain, you will never go wrong serving the people,” he said.

Prior to the conduct of the ceremonies, a mass was officiated by St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Manuel Laviste and Saint John the Baptist Pariest Priest Rev. Fr. Jan Errol Mantes. (JCR/JPD, PIA La Union)