An advocate of youth and women’s concerns from a well-known political family believes Davao City needs change and has called for active participation of the citizenry to bring about more progress in the southern metropolis.

Jo Anne Bonguyan also said she joined Team Nograles of Atty. Karlo B. Nograles because “I believe that change is only possible under his leadership.”

Jo Anne, niece of former Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan, has been carrying the “change” campaign in the barangay forays of Team Nograles. She made the same declaration when she was guest in the Kalamboan Dala Tanan, Karlo’s radio program on DXAB every Saturday afternoon.  

Her fellow Team Nograles members who were guests in the same radio program aired the same sentiment. They are Atty. Rene Villarente, barangay captain Joel Santes and Dr. Jeff Ho. Tomorrow (Saturday), the four other lead members of Team Nograles will be guests of Karlo’s radio program. They are former Councilor Shane Dolor, barangay captain Rommel delos Reyes, civic leader Billy Parilla and Atty. Prospero Mojica.

“There is so much that Davao City could achieve,” the young Bonguyan said. “And there is so much more that Davao City could do.”

Bonguyan, whose father and sister are both barangay leaders aside from having Councilor John Louie Bonguyan as first cousin, said the youthfulness of Karlo, son of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, is a “one big hope” that the change Davao City needs could be achieved.

Santes completely agreed with Bonguyan. “I have kept my loyalty with Nograles family because of the changes they introduced in my barangay.”  

Barangay Matina Crossing, which is headed by Santes for three terms, is among the most progressive in Davao City. He said Speaker Nograles, through Karlo’s hard work, virtually changed the face of the city.

Atty. Villarente, who runs a free legal assistance office for the poor, earlier said the killings in the city has given Davao a black eye. Street killings in Davao have become an international scandal with no less than the United Nations expressing concern and demanding government action.

For his part, Dr. Ho said he joined Team Nograles because of reforms that he is looking for in local governance. “You go to barangay health centers, there is no medicine, no health worker,” Ho lamented on Karlo’s radio program. “We need to change.”

Ho has been running a medical clinic that gives preferential treatment for the poor and senior citizens.

For his part, Karlo said that lead members of Team Nograles were chosen on the basis of their sincerity to serve and being project-oriented. “Everybody is free to join Team Nograles.. everyone who wants change, who wants progress.”

Karlo said there are numerous Team Nograles members in every barangay. “This is a sign of a strong clamor for change.”