A new set of officers has been elected by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) to serve as the National Executive Committee from 2007-2010.

During their recently concluded general assembly attended by 1,500 municipal mayors from all over the country at the historic landmark Manila Hotel, Binalonan, Pangasinan Mayor Ramon N. Gosuico was re-elected to head the group as its national president.

Mayor Raul C. Tupas, of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo was chosen as Vice President for Operations.

Prior to the event, Mayor Manuel M. Escalante III, who was elected as Secretary General, said this year’s assembly, with the theme LMP - Sustaining Exemplary Practices for Effective Local Government, aims to extol the best local chief executives and cite remarkable practices in governance in the municipal level.

It was for this reason, he said, that the LMP decided to showcase this year the accomplishments of members who have completed three terms in office through the “LMP gallery of graduating mayors.”

Aside from electing their national officers, the members also discussed strategic and legislative agenda that will set the direction for the organization’s future. The meeting also tackled issues on how to sustain its initiatives and promote its advocacies in the country’s various municipalities.

LMP national president Ramon Guico in his message vowed that the LMP, which has been at the forefront of local governance and development, would continue to articulate, ventilate and crystallize issues and concerns effecting municipal government administration. Guico has been the LMP national president for nine years.

Among the other officers elected were: Calbiga, Samar Mayor Melchor F. Nacario, EVP for Internal Affairs; Laak, Compostela Valley Mayor Reynaldo Navarro, EVP for External Affairs; Nunungan, Lanao Del Norte Mayor Abdul Malik Manamparan, EVP for Special Concerns; Labo, Camarines Norte Mayor Winifredo B. Oco, Island Cluster Pres. for Luzon; Kalibo, Aklan Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo,Island Cluster Pres. for Visayas, and Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Ramon M. Abalos, Island Cluster Pres. for Mindanao.

Mayor Dennis G. Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga was elected National Treasurer, while Glan, Sarangani Mayor Enrique B. Yap was chosen as National Auditor.

Mayor Eldwin M. Alibutdan of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero of Valderrama, Antique; Mayor Roque A. Tiu of Tanauan, Leyte; Manapla, Negros Occidental Mayor Manuel M. Escalante III, and Hon. Gerardo V. Calderon, took on the positions of Business Manager, PRO, General Legal Counsel, Secretary General And Deputy Secretary General, respectively.