‘Continuity, not change’

Batac councilor Markee Chua leads the distribution of relief packs in the City of Batac (File photo)

The following is a sit down interview with Batac councilor Mark Christian "Markee" Chua who has filed his candidacy to run for the city’s mayoralty post. Outgoing Batac mayor Engr. Albert D. Chua will be his running mate. The incumbent mayor has completed three straight terms and has slid down to run for the vice mayoralty post. The Chuas will face off with former Batac mayor Jeffrey Nalupta and Batac councilor Bismark Quidang, respectively.

 

The Ilocos Times (IT): What made you decide to run?

Mark Christian Chua (MCC): To be honest, Mayor Albert has done a lot for the city, and if we are to really quantify those, I think there is little more to be accomplished in terms of governance as well as in looking after the welfare of the people of Batac. But this is not to say, that there is nothing more to be done. In time, all things need to evolve so they can keep up with the times. For example, what is working now may not work next year, or maybe even next month. And that’s where I would come in. I think I can offer a lot of things in terms of that. Not only will I be able to tweak what has been working, but more so, really try to improve on them to make them more suitable for the times we live in. Mayor Albert has really done a yeoman’s job as a mayor and the people of Batac deserves that all of those should be continued. I believe I would be the right person to do that since I believed and supported all of Mayor Albert’s programs and projects even when I was still a private citizen and not a council member. I truly believed in all of those and I feel that they should all be continued and improved on.

IT: Are you saying that your political rivals would not be able to do those?

MCC: I am not saying that at all. But we all have to remember that Mayor Albert and former Mayor Jeff come from different political groups. Former Mayor Jeff actually challenged Mayor Albert in the 2019 elections. Mayor Albert won garnering more than 20,000 votes while the former mayor got over 10,000 votes. With that in mind, I would think that the former mayor would change everything Mayor Albert is doing and I don’t think that will be good for the people of Batac. They have spoken in 2019 that they want what Mayor Albert has done and that was also the case in 2022. I think it should be the same in 2025. I can safely say and even guarantee that what Mayor Albert has done will all be continued and will continue to be improved on. The people of Batac really deserve continuity, not change.

IT: How do you describe yourself?

MCC: Well, I am not sure if I can do that without sounding self-serving. It might be better if other people who really know me would do that for me.

IT: From what we have seen and heard so far, they say that you are really a low-key and humble person. They also say that you are always fair and quite selfless. What can you say about those things that people have said about you?

MCC: I can say that those would be apt descriptions. And I am quite happy that people see me that way.

IT: Let’s leave at that then since we can really feel that you are not really comfortable with that topic. Some people have said that you lack experience. What can you say about that?

MCC: Well, that is their opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we should always respect those. But in reaction to that, I think I have enough experience in governance right now. But if they are saying that I have no experience as a mayor, then that is a given for those who have yet to become a mayor. Even my electoral opponent had not been elected to any government office prior to becoming a mayor. I can say that I have been elected as a council member in 2022, but that’s neither here nor there. Besides, I really believe that it should be about your honest intention and passionate desire to serve the people that should really matter and not just experience.

IT: People have also called you out about your relationship with the outgoing mayor and vice mayor. They are insinuating that you will just become a puppet of those two.

MCC: To be blunt about this, I have been my own person since I was young. I have been independent when being independent was not yet a fad. So, I am not sure why I would become anything like that in this stage of my life. However, I do still ask for some advice or suggestions from time to time as I also understand that there are really some people who knows more about some issues more than me. But I would really like to stress that what I would ask for are just suggestions and advice, the final decision will still be mine.

IT: Should you win the election, what will be the first thing that you will do?

MCC: If that happens, the first thing I will do will be to go to church, thank God for the opportunity He has given me to serve the people of Batac and to ask for his help to give me the  strength and the wisdom to become the person they will need me to be. After that I will meet with all the departments heads of City Hall so I can tell all of them of the directions and goals I have for the city and its people. I may also stage a thanksgiving event so I can thank the people of Batac personally and tell them of my plans for the immediate future.

IT: What will be your first project for the city?

MCC: I have been thinking about this for a long time now and I believe that it will be right time to do it. I will set up an investment office which will be in charge of promoting the city to entice investments to boost the city’s economy. I will also coordinate with the provincial government about this project so we can be in step with them. I really believe that this will be a game changer for the city that will create a lot of employment opportunities for all the people of Batac, from fresh graduates and to those who wish to have a better-paying job. I think we can attract factories to the city as well food processing plants. I can also see BPOs, residential development as well as resort and recreation establishments coming with an effective investment office. I will also try and establish a night economy for the city. I can envision putting up a night market similar to the Hong Kong night market, which will really stimulate the night economy and create more opportunities for the people of Batac. Aside from this, I will also continue to give all-out support to our agricultural sector to continue what Mayor Albert started, among many others.