The year is not yet over since she took reins as the sole lady among the newly elected Councilors; yet, she has obviously made her presence felt in the City's Legislative Body. Perhaps, not a nerve-wrecking entry into the political world, nor a tremendously gargantuan leap in legislative development; but for a newcomer, it has been a milestone she considers one of the greatest challenges in her life. As a Benjamin in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, she may take time to become another Solomon, but she persistently endeavors to bring her performance level a notch higher as she learns the ropes of legislating.

Because she is "the only rose among the thorns" in the Council, it does not come as a surprise that she is the only choice to chair the Committee on Women and Children, which is now the biggest challenge she has, fulfilling a dream to serve where she feels most needed. She is very devoted to this responsibility, too conscious and all-consuming in her passion to be of service to her peers and their children that, even in bed, before slumber takes over, she is engrossed with mapping out her plan of action for the following days.

This interview with Kagawad Anne Mariquit Derekito Oppus (ADO) took place at Island City Mall last week. Compared to the time she took her oath-of-office, remarkable changes have taken place… not physical, but deeper into her persona, foremost of which is her more profound concern for the City she serves.

LMP: It has been quite a long time since our last interview. Many things have already happened. One thing that I've noticed with you now is that you have more inclination for women's welfare. So far, along this line, what are the projects that you have involved yourself with?
ADO: Basically, Sir, it's advocacy. When I was not yet a Councilor, I advocated for Anti- VAWC or Anti-Violence Against Women and Children, for women's development, and against child trafficking. But I realized that I cannot proceed on my own. Ang target nako is for my advocacy to be given back to the people. I want to focus on the Purok level sa Barangay, but I have a dilemma on how to start.

LMP: As far as the Sangguniang Panlungsod is concerned, is there a committee involved in this?
ADO: Yes, Sir, naa. The Committee on Social Welfare of which I'm the Chairman, because I'm the only woman in the Council. There are other advocacies, like transparency, but as much as I wanted to focus on that one, my call gyod is on the welfare of women. Daghan gyod ang mga grupo nga moduol nako. So I asked, why won't we meet as one since we all have the same concerns? We could ask for the opinion of the church. Ang problema man god is that you are only addressing one person; I cannot do it alone. Fortunate lang pod, kay na set-up naman god ang foundation. We have the GAD Code, or the Gender and Development Code, which was authored by Vice-Mayor Montes and sponsored by Kag. Balbin as Chairman of the Committee. So, sa tan-aw nako, dili kayo lisod. Why would I have to start from the beginning, when it is here already. So I reviewed the GAD Code and true enough, naay Committee, naay Chairman. Tanang projects sa GAD should be sanctioned by the Chief Executive so akong gi-review, I convened all the groups to tackle kon unsa man gyod. This is my advocacy. I asked them, will you be a part of it? Will you help me?

LMP: Can you enumerate in particular the concerns of the committee?
ADO: For instance, kining Women's Development Center.

LMP: Does it exist in the city?
ADO: Naa pod siya sa province.

LMP: And there is one in every municipality?
ADO: Supposed to be. But the advocates go around man god.

LMP: Who are these advocates?
ADO: Women advocates.

LMP: Are they volunteers?
ADO: Yes, and funded by some agencies outside. Our first advocacy is the Anti-VAWC Law. Then there are also livelihood projects for women.

LMP: Have they been training people for that?
ADO: Yes. Naay group of women to tackle unta livelihood projects, but they need funding assistance. So each Barangay pulls out its resources, unya maghimo sila ug projects nga makatabang sa pamilya. The only problem lang gyod, Sir, is that they lack the funds.

LMP: Are these funds available through other agencies?
ADO: Yes. It's just that wala lang makahibawo ang ubang mga organizations on how to deal with it. Fortunately, nagamit nako ang akong link sa province before. It was not difficult for me to call the Department of Science and Technology. Even the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry was being tapped and they were very helpful with the packaging.

LMP: As of now, what is your main concern?
ADO: Tagbilaran City is my main concern. The second advocacy would be the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act.

LMP: Is that the one with Sen. Kiko Pangilinan?
ADO: Yes, Sir. Ang mga minor dili ma-preso.

LMP: Personally, is this doing good?
ADO: It is doing us more harm than good. Ninety percent of trafficking cases involve minors, so nagkabata ang mga prostitutes, nagkabata pod ang mga kriminal. I was informed by Atty. Dandan Bantugan, that the Philippines is a signatory to the Human Rights Convention of the Rights of the Children, Sen. Pangilinan just sponsored it. It was not actually his own idea. Siya ang gi-blame, but since the Philippines is a co-signatory, the Senator just chaired the committee.

LMP: How can you resolve the situation since you mentioned that it's doing more harm than good?
ADO: We already had a meeting to discuss Anti-Trafficking and the Anti-VAWC, because all of these are interrelated. Ang naka-pait lang, Sir, is that the problem is parental, gawas nga naa na'y balaod.

LMP: So, you mean to say wala na kita'y mahimo sa balaod?
ADO: Wala na ta'y mahimo sa balaod; but to remedy the situation, we have to focus sa family. We have a mechanism in the GAD Code, like provision for a Rehabilitation Center. I visited our Rehabilitation Center near BDRC Jail in Cabawan. But sad to note, mora'g dili ma-rehab ang tawo, ma-kriminal siya ug samot. Kon madakpan man god sa mga pulis, ipasa nila sa DSWD ang mga bata. Dili man pod modawat ang DSWD kay wala silay facilities. Magbalik-balik ra ang mga bata sa ilang binuhatan. Naa pod raba'y uban nga mga bata, Sir, they would prefer to stay at the Center than at home. Ang pamilya lagi hinungdan; natrauma gyod sila. Naa ta'y rehab place, but it needs to be relocated. Makasulod man god ang mga piniriso adto, kay duol ra lagi sa prisohan. If everyday, mao nay makit-an sa mga bata, mao nay ilang ma-idol. Another thing, naa pod unta ta'y Psychiatrist. Ang gabantay sa atong Center, casual lang.

LMP: So your move now is to have it separated from the jail?
ADO: Unta, Sir. We want the authorities to have a look on this one, unta.

LMP: What are the agencies that will help you as far as the building of this Rehabilitation Center is concerned?
ADO: Naa ang LGU. I'm sure the provincial government and the Center for Women and Children are also willing to help. We have Senators who are very interested, like Sen. Loren Legarda, because it is her advocacy also. Naa poy Feed the Children Foundation. Even the Ayala Foundation is interested. I'd rather that we tap the private sectors because the government has enough to worry about.

LMP: Is this not the concerned of DSWD?
ADO: I'm closely monitoring DSWD. Ang ilang data very fluid pa. It has to be per Barangay kay it's mandatory that they allow 5 % of their budget for GAD related projects. For instance, sa Women's Day Celebration, I told the group na nga i-display nato tanang products ninyo. Wala sila mobalibad, excited pa gani kaayo. But then, hingkalit sila ug ingon nga wala kuno sila'y puhunan.

LMP: When you say organized, aduna ba'y set of offices for every Barangay?
ADO: Yes, Sir, naa.

LMP: Is this to be the sanctioned of the Barangay Captain or independent lang ni?
ADO: Supposed to be independent ni siya. There's one barangay nga miingon nga mag-gama na pod ug Chairperson kay lahi na kono ang partido. I told them when I came in, I did not care kon unsang organization; I just tapped kadtong existing. In fact, I was questioned by a few people. I said it doesn't matter if you voted for me or not. This is my role; this is what I came here to do.

LMP: Do you believe that you can do this in your first term?
ADO: I hope I could do it. My target is for the women to be aware and be responsible. But mahadlok man god sila. Ako gyod silang gi-ingnan nga angayan man pod mo siguro mo himuong battered wives kay inig lakaw sa inyong bana, naka-duster mo; inig abot pod nila, duster lang gihapon; way gihimo; wala pod mo'y ikatampo sa balay. The women need to be reoriented of their worth and value. Bisan housewife ka, you are doing something important. Daghan kaayong kaya himoon ang babaye pero sila mismo nakaminos sa ilang kaugalingon.

LMP: Along this line, what are your plans?
ADO: By purok. I'm tapping for instance, Tagbilaran's Women Club, CWL, even the Girls Scouts. Even BCBP and Couples for Christ. I told them we don't need parades, let's just walk. And do something about our problems.

LMP: So far, wala ba kay mga disappointing experiences?
ADO: Ang akong nakit-an nga problema, Sir, is kining legal aspect.

LMP: We have a group of lady lawyers here. Wala ba nimo sila gi-tap?
ADO: I'm in touch with them. The only problem is that not all of them are free.Like if naay violence cases against women, can I promise them free legal aide? Mao nay problema, Sir. So what I can do is personally to campaign for more lawyers to help us.

LMP: Would that also mean reorienting the husband of the women's role?
ADO: In fact, during the summit, Mr. Tootsie Escobia was there. It's good to know nga naa'y mga husband nga interested kay lisod man god, kon puro mi mga babaye. Kami pa ang biktima, kami pa pod ang mag-sige ug yaw-yaw.

LMP: How serious are the trafficking cases here?
ADO: DSWD reported nga usa sa highest ang Region VII. Naay gamay sa Bohol. What's surprising lang, kay 90% of the trafficking cases involve minors. There's a misconception man god, nga kon bata imong gamiton, you will live longer kono. Even the parents would say nga kon inyong dakpon ang akong anak, unsa man ang ipakaon ninyo sa among pamilya?

LMP: Pila pod ang edad aning mga bataa?
ADO: They range from 11 to 13 years old. It's better man kono than begging. It's because we can't give employment. Kung naay madakpan, buhian man gihapon unya moingon man ang mother nga mao lang gihapon, pabalikon man nako akong anak kay unsa man lagi kono ang ipakaon sa pamilya. With approval pa gyod sa parents, Sir.

LMP: With the tourism influx, mosamot gyod ni?
ADO: Mosamot gyod. Dapat unta adunay task force ani. But way moreport. Even the security guards of the resorts and hotels are not aware nga pwede nilang ireport. Some would say nga basin daw makontra nako ang mga owners. Naunsa naman hinoon nga angayan unta ipakita nato nga child-friendly ang mga resort or hotel.

LMP: These hotel owners should know of their responsibilities.
ADO: Actually, wala man go'y control. Wala man pod sila makahibawo nga possible child-trafficking na siya. It's the downside of tourism industry. Kining involved ani, Sir, dili man god pod taga-Bohol. Most of them are from Mindanao.

LMP: Unsa man ang imong mabuhat nga dili man kaha sila taga diri?
ADO: The agency involved should be the Department of Labor. But they don't have the manpower. Lisod sabton kay daghang casuals walay trabaho. I told myself if I would want to finish what I wanted to do in just a short span of time, ma-frustrate gyod ko. My husband said, "deal with the given; what you have, what you don't have. It's okay to dream big dreams, but always put in mind that you cannot do it alone. You need people to realize that dream."

LMP: How do you manage your job as a mother, as a wife and as a councilor?
ADO: The management I have at home is the same way I manage my work and my career. I set guidelines and deadlines. Mao nang if I'm with women, mora rami ug barkada but at the same time, mora pod ug nanay. I don't see black and red, I see them as one. I make it a point to tell my children nga if I'm neglecting you, if over na ko kaayo, tell me. My children are the first to know of my advocacy so that they can exercise this, and eventually, maka-set sila ug example sa uban. Even my youngest daughter, makakita siya ug naay mag-jay walking, she would tell me nga "nay, diba jay walking na?" My eldest failed her driving exam. Miingon ang examiner nga dili na kuno siya angay pa mo-take ug exam kay answer sheet daan ang iyang ihatag total Oppus bitaw siya. So my daughter asked me kon ok ra ba. I said no, you take the exam, if you fail, so what, at least you're honest.

LMP: How do you deal with your colleagues sa City Hall?
ADO: I always tell them if there's a problem, there's always a solution. One thing lang, with my elected office now, mas manggiuwawon ko, Sir. Mas maikog ko. First impression gyod nila, strikta ko, but later, ingon gyod sila, ok ra man di-ay. On my part man god, lahi gyod akong pagtan-aw kon elected officials; Service gyod. Di ko ganahan hatagan ug special treatment. Akong gi-ingnan ang mga grupo nga, "sugoa ko ninyo, because that's my job.

LMP: You don't have any problems dealing with the Mayor?
ADO: None. I make it a point nga whatever requests I have, I go through the process. Miingon man sad ang Mayor to go ahead with my projects kay mo-suporta siya. Mohatag ra ko niya ug project proposal. So far, approved ang akong mga proposals.

LMP: With all of that, what is your assessment of the things that you have accomplished? Are you fulfilled?
ADO: I'm very hard on myself man god, Sir. I think I have a very long way to go. Advantage lang is that I have a very enthusiastic and motivated people with me. I am a dreamer but I can only make my dreams come to life if I go step by step. I told the women nga they have to know what they want and how to get what they want. The bottom line is to do everything for your family.

LMP: Are you convinced that you have done your best?
ADO: I am doing the best that I can under the very difficult circumstances. I know what I'm capable of doing, but there are just some things which stop me from doing what I want to do. I know I can achieve more, but slowly lang because I might end up frustrating myself. The late Atty. Juanito Cambangay was one of my advisers. He said "Kit, you cannot achieve that in one day." I said, "Yes I know. I don't intend to do this in one day, but I'm going to do this during my lifetime."
This neophyte Councilor's background as a Political Science and Law graduate has served well in her present position in the Sangguniang Panlungsod. She has proven that she is at par with the best in the legislative body when analyzing issues in an effort to come out with sound conclusions. Her adroitness in rationalization is distinctive; her dexterity in the English language is a big plus-factor in ventilating her ideas, and have them come across her colleagues in a perceptive manner. This is in contrast with many legislators all over the country whose ability to communicate could level with ground zero.

Her crusade for women and children's welfare is not a novel move. There were those before her who have made their marks in their advocacy. This is a never-ending task she has taken on whole-heartedly. Others sourly take the cudgels.

But while Kagawad Kit Oppus is at it, she has given it the commitment it deserves.

She has met set-backs along the way, but they don't deter her from pursuing her goal. Not for herself, but for the incoming generation.