Solsona council holds first-ever SOLA; mayor delivers SOMA highlights

 

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter

Solsona, Ilocos Norte—The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Solsona, led by Vice Mayor and presiding officer Jonathan De Lara, held the municipality’s first State of the Legislative Address (SOLA) on June 1, 2026, coinciding with the blessing and inauguration of the new SB session hall.

De Lara marked the milestone as a chance to reflect on the SB’s first 365 days of public service and to report legislative accomplishments. He told constituents the body approved 975 resolutions and enacted 64 municipal ordinances in its first year, emphasizing that each measure was intended to promote good governance, strengthen public services, protect the environment, support education and health care, enhance peace and order, and stimulate local economic growth. All members’ accomplishment reports were presented via PowerPoint during the event.

De Lara thanked fellow councilors for their professionalism and commitment, the executive department under Solsona Mayor Joseph De Lara for its collaboration, and the people of Solsona for their trust. He said the SOLA is both a culmination of work done and a reminder that more remains to be achieved through stronger partnerships, transparency and responsive legislation. “I am confident that the Sangguniang Bayan will continue to be a dependable partner in building a stronger, more responsive and inclusive municipality,” he said.

Solsona Mayor Joseph De Lara also spoke, delivering a State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) that highlighted infrastructure and social‑service gains from his first year in office. He reported improvements to the municipal park plaza and leachate pond, farm‑to‑market road projects in Barangay Maananteng, the agri‑tourism pasalubong center, the Barangay Bubuos canal project, and flood control works in Barangay Talugtog. Ongoing projects include an agriculture warehouse, Farmers’ Trading Phase IV and a municipal command center. The mayor reaffirmed priorities in social welfare, agriculture and health care, and credited the administration’s progress to unity and cooperation among municipal offices and stakeholders.

Acknowledging challenges such as limited resources, rising costs and climate risks, Mayor De Lara said the municipality will continue to serve with innovation, resilience and compassion. “As we celebrate our first 365 days of public service, we look forward to the work ahead with continued unity, good governance and cooperation,” he said, urging officials and residents to work “hand in hand with integrity, accountability and compassion” to build a more progressive and resilient Solsona.