1 month ago
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BATANGAS — A former tarpaulin installer-turned-mayor is now aiming for the highest seat in Batangas, challenging the province's most powerful political dynasty in the May 12 elections.
Jay Manalo Ilagan FILE PHOTO
Jay Manalo Ilagan, once a behind-the-scenes worker who plastered campaign posters for politicians, is now running against former governor and screen legend Vilma Santos-Recto.
Ilagan's journey into politics began in the trenches — literally.
As a tarpaulin installer, he spent years hanging banners of candidates in Batangas, giving him a unique perspective on the struggles and aspirations of ordinary voters.
Later, as a political coordinator for the Recto family, he mastered the intricacies of local governance — knowledge he now intends to use against his former patrons.
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His political rise started in 2013 in the town of Mataas na Kahoy, where he served as mayor with a hands-on leadership style.
Preferring face-to-face interactions to bureaucratic formalities, he earned a reputation for accessibility.
"I won't send a representative — I'll face the people myself and address their needs directly," said Ilagan, who currently serves as vice mayor of the town.
During his term, he prioritized education, health care and tourism, but his ambitions stretch beyond municipal borders. He envisions transforming Batangas into an economic hub akin to Singapore, leveraging its strategic coastal location for trade and investment.
A key part of his platform is the proposed Batangas Bay Metropolitan Authority (BBMA) modeled after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The BBMA would streamline development around Batangas Bay — home to major ports, industrial zones and fisheries — by unifying planning under a single agency.
"Right now, overlapping jurisdictions slow down progress. The BBMA will cut through the red tape," he said.
Defeating Santos-Recto, a political heavyweight with deep-rooted influence, won't be easy.
Undeterred, Ilagan will bet on his grassroots connection.
"I used to hang campaign tarps — now I'm asking for my name to be on one. I know the struggles of ordinary Batangueños because I've lived them," he said.
As the race heats up, Batangas voters will decide if they stick with the familiar or bet on an underdog with big ambitions.
