BUENAVISTA, Marinduque — Congressman-elect Reynaldo “Kuya Rey” Salvacion took his oath of office on Tuesday, May 27 at the Municipality of Buenavista before Mayor Eduard Siena, marking a symbolic gesture of bringing the government closer to local communities.
The oath-taking, held in Salvacion’s hometown, was attended by local officials, including Ma. Bernadette G. Lasic, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Buenavista. Lasic expressed her full support and offered guidance in line with the DILG’s mandate of promoting effective local governance.
Salvacion described the ceremony as a representation of unity between the national and local governments. “This event symbolizes our shared goal of building a more vibrant, orderly, and progressive community for the people of Buenavista and the whole province,” he said. “It is proof of our continued collaboration for the common good and the delivery of effective public service.”
Humble Beginnings
Born on February 4, 1960, in Buenavista, Marinduque, Reynaldo Padilla Salvacion — affectionately known as “Kuya Rey”, has long been rooted in public service. He received his early education in the same municipality where his political journey would later begin.
Political Career
Salvacion, a businessman, first entered politics as a municipal councilor of Buenavista, serving from 2010 to 2013. During this term, he also held the position of president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL)-Marinduque Chapter, granting him an ex-officio seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
In 2016, Salvacion made history by becoming the first provincial board member elected from Buenavista, representing the second district of Marinduque and finishing second overall in the polls.
His political career, however, was not without setbacks. He lost to Presbitero Velasco Jr. in the 2019 gubernatorial race by over 32,000 votes and again in 2022 when he ran for vice governor, losing to Adeline Angeles by a margin of about 7,000 votes.
Undeterred, Salvacion returned to the political arena in the May 12 midterm elections, this time vying for a congressional seat. He won decisively, garnering 73,677 votes against outgoing Governor Velasco’s 56,527 — a winning margin of 17,150 votes.
“Bilang isang native na Marinduqueño, ako po ay nangangarap na ang Marinduque ay paglingkuran ng tunay at lehitimong Marinduqueño, na magbibigay daan sa tunay na kaunlaran ng ating lalawigan. Mas maganda po na talagang taga-rito ang naglilingkod dahil alam po ng isang tunay at native na Marinduqueño kung ano ang panangangailangan ang ating mga mamamayan lalo na ang mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan,” Salavacion’s said in an interview with Marinduque News Network.
Legislative Priorities and Advocacies
As he prepares to assume office on June 30 as Marinduque’s lone district representative in the 20th Congress, Salvacion has laid out an ambitious platform focused on healthcare, education, agriculture, employment, tourism and public utilities.
Among his top priorities are, a) Healthcare Improvement – Including better hospital services and the distribution of free medicine to those in need; b) Educational Support – Proposing free transportation for all students across the Philippines to reduce absenteeism; c) Agricultural Development – Providing irrigation and water systems to support local farmers; d) Employment and Livelihood – Reviving the nata de coco factory in Brgy. Yook, Buenavista, which can employ up to 1,000 residents, and strengthening Marinduque’s butterfly industry; e) Fisheries Support – Expanding the use of fish cages in coastal barangays like Brgy. Buyabod, Sta. Cruz, to help residents raise bangus and tilapia; and f) Direct Aid to Citizens – Advocating for a bill that would provide every Filipino with ₱1,000 to ₱2,000 in financial assistance to help cover their utility bills.
A New Chapter for Marinduque
With a strong mandate from the people and a grassroots-driven platform, Congressman-elect Reynaldo Salvacion is set to begin a new chapter in his public service journey—this time from the halls of Congress. His victory and oath-taking reflect a renewed hope among Marinduqueños for inclusive progress and stronger government presence at the community level. — Marinduquenews.com
