LEGAZPI CITY: Former broadcaster Baby Glenda Ong Bongao, the first female vice governor of Albay, is pushing for women empowerment and an independent legislative council as a check and balance of the executive department.Bongao took the place of Vice Gov. Greco Edcel Lagman through the rule of succession after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) removed Gov. Noel Rosal from office due to an election offense.Lagman assumed the post as governor and Bongao, who earned the most number of votes among the Board Members during the May 2022 elections, was elevated to vice governor.Bongao said she wants the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) to be proactive and sensitive to the plight of the people of Albay.'Based on records of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay, I'm the first female to have been sworn into the Office of the Vice Governor of Albay,' she said.Bongao is aware of the challenges ahead, but said she has high hopes 'of having an equal and balanced representation in the male-dominated world in Albay politics.''I've been an advocate of women empowerment. My track record and body of work since I became a public servant can attest to that,' she said.'And being the first female vice governor gives me high hopes that what we've been advocating for is now coming to fruition. This is not about dominating the world of politics, but it's about having an equal and balanced representation in a male-dominated world.'Bongao, a former broadcaster of Radio Veritas Legazpi, started her political career as a city councilor in Tabaco City, a position she held for nine years before she won as a Board Member of the province.She said she wanted the provincial board to be independent but, at the same time, supportive of the programs of the executive department. She is also pushing for legislation that will address the needs of the communities in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the province.'While we maintain the independence of the Sanggunian, we must support and cooperate with the governor in making sure that all PPAs of the PGA will be implemented. I'd like to have a Sanggunian that is cooperative and supportive of the executive programs,' she said.'We will continue to enact legislative measures in making sure that our ordinances are geared toward achieving more inclusive development. No one shall be left behind as we move forward to a more progressive Albay.'Prior to her succession as the first female vice governor of Albay, Bongao chaired the committee on women, children, family, and gender and development.Among the ordinances she passed were the granting of cash incentives of P10,000 to couples who have been legally married and living together for 50 years; the institutionalized programs, services, privileges and benefits for solo parents and their children pursuant to RA 8972, also known as the 'Solo Parents Act of 2000'; and the enactment of the Bahay Pag-asa for Girls.She also pushed for a comprehensive code for the welfare of children; the revised gender and development code; the revised tourism code; and the Anti Sogie (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) discrimination ordinance, among others.