Gov. Rhodora Cadiao graduates on June 30, 2025 as local chief executive of Antique Province after serving 3 consecutive terms since 2016. This re-post of HilwayNews March 10, 2020 interview (from Facebook ‘MEMORIES’), done days before the Philippines went on pandemic lockdown.
The Exclusive Interview with HilwayNews:
“I GET HURT.” Governor Rhodora Cadiao of Antique expounds on her relentless drive for social equity
SAN JOSE, ANTIQUE 10 MARCH 2020 — even fellow Ilongos in Panay and Negros would see Antiquenos as “our poor neighbors,” a sentiment the governor referred to as basis in her advocacy of ensuring the equitable delivery of social services to the poor.
Governor Cadiao talked to HilwayNews through an exclusive interview at the Antique governor’s office yesterday.
Cadiao noted that Metro Manilans often call here to look for housemaids or houseboys. Antiquenos are also noted for being the primary supplier of sacadas in Negros haciendas.
“When I became governor it hit me that the Antiqueno image outside of the province for decades is that of being “mga buki, mga pobre kag mga aswang.”
The Antique governor recalled that even (former) Gov. Maranon of Negros were quoted to have said “kulang ang katam-is sang kalamay kon wala ang sacadas sang Antique.”
“Tama na, sobra na,” Gov. Cadiao said as she elaborated on the many ongoing development projects in Antique.
The recent distribution of pump boats to 1,800 fisher folk is a work in progress with then Senator and now Antique Rep. Loren Legarda.
Cadiao said the new pump boats represent a bigger picture of the various livelihood assistance on sari-sari stores, livestock dispersal, medical assistance to indigent patients (MAIP), and AICS or assistance to individuals in crisis situation.
Antiquenos now feel the government is working closely for them. Recently the province was declared insurgency-free, the governor noted.
“And for the first time Antique province received the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). For the first time,” Cadiao stressed.
