HE IS a new face in 4th district politics. They say he is a neophyte. But in the hearts and minds of those people in the riverside, Board Member Ric Yabut, a landslide winner in the recent elections is now a rising and shining champion of his district. He is now a new breed of public servant who consistently walks his talk.

With his battle cry, “Basta Yabut, aabot”, this board member wasted no time of his life as a public servant, but has used every single moment and opportunity in his 100 days in office to be true to his promise of sincere service to the people.

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Since his assumption to office, Board Member Yabut is one of the most visible at the Capitol not just during public hearings and sessions, but on a daily basis to assist and entertain his constituents who are in need of help and assistance. Yes, this is true and the employees at the Capitol can affirm the veracity of this fact.

However, aside from spending valuable time for office work, Yabut is also visible in almost eight municipalities of the 4th district to look after the general welfare of his constituents, come rain or shine.

Truly, this man of honor works beyond his promises and commitments. His actions speak louder than his words. He sincerely walks his talk. And for these, the Kapampangan people along the Pampanga River are so lucky and proud because they have a rising leader with full of enthusiasm and dynamism not just on legislation but most importantly, he is using his networks and connections to find ways and means on how he could be of great help for the development of 4th district.

This shining champion of the masses in the eight municipalities of the 4th district can be considered as a working board member, as he is always visible and prepared to extend whatever assistance he could provide for the needs of the families and communities.

Board Member Yabut is assisting almost everyday indigent patients from the 4th district who cannot afford to pay hospital bills, as he also frequently visits some district hospitals to distribute and make sure that medical supplies and equipment are available and best fit for the needs of the sick.

In terms of infrastructure, Yabut has initiated the concreting of five barangay roads in Candaba and the asphalting and improvement of Apalit-Macabebe Sampaga section and the leveling gravelling of dikes from Barangay Bebe Anac to Consuelo in Masantol town; from barangay Pau, Sto. Tomas to Dela Paz-Sta Cruz San Simon; from Mandasig Candaba set back levee to San Luis portion.

In times of calamity, Yabut shows that he is one of the early birds whose presence and contribution can be counted on as he visited the breached portion of the Pampanga River and some affected barangays such as San Pedro, San Jose in San Simon; Sucad, Apalit; Pulung Gubat, Candaba; Macabebe and Masantol where he provided some assistance for the relief, sandbagging and rescue operations to save millions of lives and properties.

This man who believes in the power of education has provided filling materials to some elementary schools frequently visited by floods to make sure that these are flood-free and he even donated some computer sets to update the schools on information technology and become more conducive for learning.

Board Member Yabut also gave attention to the interest of the pre-school children and their day care centers. Simultaneously, he assisted out-of-school-youth from depressed areas of 4th district to get job opportunities local and abroad to increase the meager income of their respective families.

With these remarkable accomplishments within an initial period of 100 days, marginalized people and those who benefited from his “outstanding performance”, they say that Board Member Yabut has excellently passed the acid test of his political career.

The people are now saying they got one of the best public servants in the person of Board Member Yabut as the latter shows he is everywhere not just to give comfort but to work hard for the betterment of the quality of life of his constituents in the 4th district.

With these initial undertakings he has done for the welfare of his people, Yabut can be called a new brand of “Action Man” who sincerely commits his time and efforts and even his guts for the greater good of his people. In short, Board Member Ric Yabut is the new 4th district champ of the masses. Keep it up. (Joel P. Mapiles)