TUNGAWAN, Zamboanga Sibugay – For a town long battling poverty and neglect, the winds of change may finally be blowing in Tungawan. At the center of this quiet transformation is Mayor Angelito Aniñon, whose brand of leadership is reshaping how basic services reach the people.

Barely into his term, Aniñon is already making bold, practical moves aimed at winning the war against poverty — one household, one barangay at a time.

Making nutrition a priority, not a project

One of his earliest reforms was to institutionalize the local government’s fight against malnutrition. What used to be a mere “desk” under the municipal health office is now a full-fledged Municipal Nutrition Office, ensuring that the town’s nutrition program becomes a permanent and well-funded local government priority.

For four consecutive years, nutrition surveys have ranked Tungawan as the Zamboanga Sibugay town with the highest number of stunted, wasted, and underweight children.

“It’s not just about feeding programs anymore,” nutrition focal person Erlynne Shayne Endino said. “It’s about making nutrition a sustained and structured effort, not just a seasonal activity.”

Health care that travels to the mountains

Aniñon also made a decisive move to address Tungawan’s long-standing health care gaps. The municipality allocated ₱1 million for anti-rabies vaccines, a life-saving measure that spares residents from choosing between medical treatment and food on the table.

Dr. Jeanny Bhie Bayking, the municipal health officer, said the mayor’s administration has introduced innovations that go beyond traditional health programs.

“Our team now conducts regular medical outreach every Thursday to the hinterland barangays,” Bayking said. “We bring the health services right to the doorsteps of the people — especially those who can’t afford to travel to the town proper.”

Among the health office’s most effective new initiatives is the creation of clubs for people with hypertension and diabetes at the barangay level. The groups allow for easier monitoring, early prevention, and continuous treatment of the municipality’s top two lifestyle diseases.

A mayor who meets the people where they are

For many in Tungawan, Aniñon’s hands-on style is what sets him apart.

“He really goes to the people in the community,” said Conrado Panes, a long-time municipal health employee. “You can see that he wants to understand what people are going through. That’s a different kind of leadership.”

From health caravans to grassroots consultations, Aniñon’s approach blends governance with personal connection — a rarity in rural local politics.

The mayor’s early steps may well determine the pace and direction of that journey as Tungawan continues its climb out of poverty. For now, his message to his constituents is clear: progress begins where the people are.

About The Author

Antonio Manaytay

Antonio Manaytay is a journalist, editor, and pastor reporting for Rappler and leading the Daily Sun Chronicle. A 2024 Klima Fellow, he covers climate, governance, and grassroots resilience in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

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