Congressman Richard Gomez has set the tone for his second term with a bold declaration: predicting the future is not enough, you must create it.
In a fiery speech at his June 30 inauguration, the Leyte 4th District lawmaker invoked Abraham Lincoln’s words to lay out his three-point vision for transforming the region—massive infrastructure, investment in people, and restoration of order.
Gomez revealed that under his leadership, a staggering P11.8 billion has already been poured into the district, with P11.2 billion allocated for infrastructure and P661 million distributed as social cash benefits. But he made it clear that this was just the beginning.
Gomez says the future of Leyte’s 4th district is now under construction
The congressman broke down his agenda into three essential pillars. First is infrastructure. He stressed the need for roads, bridges, and flood control to support agriculture and commerce across all six municipalities and Ormoc City. Gomez emphasized that these projects are not just local improvements but essential links in the district’s path to national relevance.
Second is investing in human capital. Gomez said every peso spent on social aid is a strategic move to empower the district’s most vulnerable residents. Through programs like TUPAD, AICS, and the Smart Grant, he said lives are not only being improved—they are being prepared for long-term contribution to the economy.
Finally, Gomez underscored the need for order. Without discipline, no amount of development will be sustainable, he warned. He said a functional society must have systems that work, from traffic management to peace and security.
‘Time to export Ormoc’s success to the rest of the district’
Gomez, who once governed Ormoc City as mayor, now wants the rest of the 4th District to experience the same upward momentum. He pointed out that the city’s transformation is proof that planning, consistency, and strong governance yield results.
He said it is no longer enough for Ormoc to thrive while neighboring municipalities fall behind. His second term, he promised, will focus on bringing that same success to Isabel, Kananga, Merida, Palompon, and Albuera.
The congressman said that while the P11.8 billion investment over three years was significant, his team is not slowing down. He has already filed a new batch of bills in Congress aimed at delivering deeper reforms—from regional railways to social protection and education policy.
Gomez warned that political will alone cannot carry the district forward. He said citizens must also take part in the hard work of nation-building and abandon complacency.
If infrastructure is the backbone, people are the soul, and order is the shield—Gomez made one thing clear: he’s building all three at once, and there’s no turning back.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.