Lucilo R. Bayron, the mayor of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, stands at the helm of a city blessed with breathtaking natural beauty and grappling with the challenges that come with it. Yet, despite roadblocks, he efficiently balances socio-economic growth and environmental protection. His efforts helped place Puerto Princesa on the map as a model eco-tourism destination.
The incumbent mayor’s passion for public service has always been evident, even in his early days when he joined Palawan’s provincial government as a clerical aide for the Governor’s Office. He left after eight years as the youngest Provincial Planning Officer, at 32 years old, to pursue an entrepreneurial career. After 13 years, Baylon rejoined the government in 1992 as City Administrator for the City Government of Puerto Princesa.
As City Administrator, he spearheaded several notable programs, including the Oplan Linis Program and the Feast of the Forest, which promote cleanliness and environment preservation.
Bayron’s sterling reputation helped him secure the Vice Mayor seat in 2001, assuming the position in 2003. He was re-elected in office during the 2004, 2007, and 2010 elections, making him the longest-serving Vice Mayor of Puerto Princesa.
While in office, Bayron introduced the concept of Ugnayan sa Barangay, where city officials and employees would discuss critical issues in the barangays while bringing essential, urgent services to their constituents, among other initiatives to bridge the gap between the local government and the public.
His constituents found him an effective public leader, earning him various endearing monikers, including “Action Man,” hinting at how he finishes tasks promptly and without hesitation. This public support helped him win the 2013 elections as City Mayor.
Bayron is now in his fourth term and continues championing progressive ideas to develop Puerto Princesa. Some of his efforts include conceptualizing the construction of the Puerto Princesa Skyway, the Balayong People’s Park, the Pawikan International Convention Center, and more.
Puerto Princesa residents recognize his administration as one Bayron describes as “apurado,” which means hurried or in a hurry in Filipino. But with post-pandemic recovery becoming a priority among local government units in the country, the mayor rebranded his government into “mega apurado” to emphasize his commitment to work harder and faster than he previously did.
One of his recent goals is to develop Puerto Princesa as the “Convention Capital of the Philippines” to empower local professionals and keep them well-educated to perform their various tasks.
Another, which he introduced in 2022, is the Puerto Princesa integrated fishport. Bayron envisions the facility to streamline numerous fishing sector operations and become a focal center for fishermen, processors, and other stakeholders.
With ambitious plans like the “Convention Capital” and the integrated fishport taking shape, Puerto Princesa stands poised for even greater things. But the “apurado” spirit, the relentless pursuit of improvement, truly defines the Bayron era.
As the city charges ahead, one question lingers: where will Lucilo Bayron’s “mega apurado” ambition take Puerto Princesa next? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: the journey promises to be remarkable and full of surprises as the city mayor navigates new opportunities and challenges.