In Biñan City, Laguna, it has been said, a Vice Mayor’s duties extends beyond being simply a “spare part” of the local executive or even as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
That especially holds true for incumbent Vice Mayor Jonalina “Dada” Reyes,” who believes her current role in the city government does not limit her opportunities to better serve Biñanenses.
In fact, she sees her role as the ideal way to practice her philosophy of “Dedikasyon at Aksyon” – a commitment to translate public office into concrete and accessible service.
“Ginagamit natin ang lahat ng kakayahan natin para maihatid po natin ang tulong sa mga kababayan,” was how she put it to OpinYon Laguna.
“Hindi natin ikinukulong ang ating sarili sa iisang kahon na ito lamang ang trabaho natin, kung ano ang nakalagay sa batas. Kailangan nating isipin kung hanggang saan pa ang maaabot ng ating public service.”
Legislative duties
As City Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Biñan, Reyes carries one of the most important responsibilities in local governance: ensuring that the City Council remains an effective venue for legislation, deliberation, accountability, and representation.
However, she has found an opportunity to expand her duties through amendments in the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s internal rules that allowed the Vice Mayor to introduce their own legislation like a regular city councilor.
This, she explained, was borne out of the continued requests for assistance from various sectors in the Biñanense community, as well as her own experiences as a legislator.
“Mas gusto ko po kasi na ako mismo ang nagde-defend ng mga inihahain kong batas, kasi pinagdaanan ko rin naman po iyon during my nine years as city councilor at ex-officio board member,” Reyes said. (As former President of the League of City Councilors of the Philippines – Laguna Chapter, she had also occupied a seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Laguna during her term as city councilor.)
She added that her responsibility is not simply to preside over meetings, but to help maintain an environment where issues can be properly discussed, questions can be raised, government offices and stakeholders can be heard, and decisions can be made with the welfare of the public in mind.
In the sometimes heatedly partisan local political scene, it is Reyes’ duty to ensure a balance between partisan interests and ensuring the interests of Biñanenses.
“Bago naman po ako nag-umpisa sa pagiging Vice Mayor, kinausap naman po natin ang majority at minority blocs. Sabi ko lang, kahit galing tayo sa magkaibang partido, gusto ko lang na mapag-uusapan pa rin natin yung mga problema at isyu ng bayan nang walang halong pulitika,” she added.
Focus on healthcare
Promoting the welfare and well-being of Biñanenses has always been on top of Reyes' agenda, as reflected both on her legislative activities and her advocacy work.
Among her top pieces of legislation was a resolution filed on October 2025, instituting a comprehensive program for women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, now more generally known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome or PMOS).
"Sa ngayon po, nakikipagtulungan po tayo sa Gender and Development Office, at may balak din po tayong maglunsad ng mga programa sa mga paaralan tungkol sa kondisyong ito," she reported.
"Tuluy-tuloy din po ang mga programa sa Ospital ng Biñan para makapag-provide po ng serbisyong medikal gaya ng ultrasound para sa mga kababaihang may kondisyong ito.”
Meanwhile, through her office and the “Dedikasyon at Aksyon” Public Assistance Center, Reyes has also provided additional healthcare services for ordinary Biñanenses.
Among the programs facilitated by her office are services related to eye screening and cataract surgery, as well as assistance for individuals with cleft lip and cleft palate.
The Public Assistance Center likewise receives applications for its Hearing Aid Assistance Program and Prosthesis Assistance Program.
"Hindi po biro ang gastos ng ating mga patient na may ganitong mga kondisyon – sa konsultasyon pa lamang po, libu-libo na po ang ginagastos nila," Reyes explained.
"Sa pamamagitan po ng mga programang ito, nata-touch po natin ang sektor ng mga persons with disabilities na wala rin namang sapat na kakayahan na makapagpagamot."
Bridge between constituents
Reyes’ office also assists residents seeking support for hospital-related expenses through Guarantee Letter assistance, facilitated in coordination with partner institutions.
Through her “People’s Day” held every Tuesday, her office also provides residents an opportunity to personally bring their concerns and requests for assistance to the Vice Mayor's office.
Reyes, however, emphasized that the “Dedikasyon at Aksyon” Public Assistance Center serves as a "bridge" between her constituents and the partner institutions and organizations that actually provide assistance for them.
Rather than treating public assistance as a simple transaction, the office seeks to understand each case, determine what assistance may be available, explain the necessary requirements and procedures, and help beneficiaries navigate the appropriate referral process.
“Kahit hindi ganoon kalaki yung tulong na maibibigay natin sa kanila, yung feeling na mayroong taong nag-aassist sa kanila, malaking bagay na po iyon,” she added.
Handling criticism
In her long career as a public servant, Reyes has had her share of criticism – not unusual in today’s world where public reactions are instantaneous thanks to social media.
Given the fact that some of these reactions can degenerate into outright bashing, how does a Vice Mayor Dada Reyes handle such criticisms?
“Ang approach ko po is to be selective about the criticisms I take to heart,” was how she candidly put it.
“Maraming opinyon ang mga tao, at minsan, some reactions are driven by emotion. So I try to look beyond the noise and focus on criticisms that have substance -- those that can help us see what we can improve and how we can serve our people better. Kung pakikinggan mo kasi lahat, sasakit lang ang ulo mo, and we also have to accept that we cannot please everyone. At the end of the day, what matters to me is whether there is something we can learn from it that will help us become better public servants."
But being selective about criticism, she stressed, does not mean surrounding herself only with people who agree with her.
In fact, Reyes values honest feedback, particularly from people she trusts and works closely with, including her staff.
“Mas gusto ko pong marinig yung totoo, kahit minsan hindi iyon ang gusto kong marinig. Importante sa akin na may mga taong magsasabi kung saan kami may pagkukulang at kung ano pa ang puwede naming ayusin.”
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