Mauricio "Morris" Gamsao Domogan (born October 10, 1946) is a Filipino lawyer and politician and is the longest serving mayor of the city of Baguio. A member of the Lakas Kampi CMD party, Domogan served three terms as mayor of Baguio, initially as acting mayor from July to October 1992, and officially as the new mayor in October 1992 after succeeding the mayoralty post from Ramon Labo after he was disqualified due to his citizenship status, until 2001, and again from 2010 to 2019.

Mauricio Domogan
Domogan in 2018
23rd Mayor of Baguio
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Vice MayorDaniel T. Farinas
Edison R. Bilog
Preceded byReinaldo Bautista
Succeeded byBenjamin Magalong
In office
October 24, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Vice MayorDaniel T. Farinas
Preceded byRamon Labo, Jr.
Succeeded byBernardo Vergara
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Baguio's Lone District
In office
June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Preceded byBernardo Vergara
Succeeded byBernardo Vergara
Vice Mayor of Baguio
In office
June 30, 1992 – October 24, 1992
MayorRamon Labo, Jr.
Member of the Baguio Municipal Council
In office
June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1992
Personal details
Born (1946-10-10) October 10, 1946 (age 77)
Quirino, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Political partyTimpuyog Ti Baguio (UNA)
Other political
affiliations
UNA (since 2013)
Lakas-CMD (2004–2009)
SpouseRebecca "Becky" Napeek
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Baguio (BA)
University of the Cordilleras (LL.B)
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer

He has also been elected to three terms as a Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the Lone District of Baguio. He first won election to Congress in 2001, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2007. In 2019, barred by the constitution to a fourth term, he ran once more for the city's lone congressional seat, against the incumbent Congressman, Marquez Go, to whom Domogan suffered the first loss in his political career.

Early life and career edit

Domogan was born on October 10, 1946, and traces his roots to the remote sitio of Bab-asig, Patiacan, Quirino (formerly Angaki), Ilocos Sur and within the boundaries of Besao, Mountain Province and Tubo, Abra.[1]

He finished his elementary education at the Patiacan Elementary School in 1961 and finished his secondary education at the Lepanto High School. He obtained his BA degree from the University of Baguio in 1969 and finished his Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Cordilleras in 1973.[2]

Before his political career, he was a private practitioner from 1974 to 1992, focusing on labor issues and was counsel to several unions including Hyatt Terraces Employees Union and Baguio Country Club Employees Union to name a few.[2]

Political career edit

Councilor, Vice Mayor and Acting Mayor edit

Domogan began his political career as a councilor of Baguio from 1988 to 1992. He was later elected as Vice Mayor of Baguio in May 1992 but assumed the position of acting mayor of the city 15 minutes after taking his oath as vice mayor. He served as acting mayor from July 1, 1992 to October 24, 1992, and he assumed the office of the city mayor by virtue of the disqualification of then-elected mayor Jun Labo, who was disqualified by the Supreme Court due to his Australian citizenship.

Mayor (1992–2001) edit

Domogan’s first term was marked by the task of rehabilitating the city after the July 16, 1990 earthquake in cooperation with then Congressman Bernardo Vergara, the other city officials, city residents, and national leadership. Massive reconstructions of the city roads, buildings and other infrastructures continued during his second and third terms.

These included the modernization of Marcos Highway, the Baguio-Tuba-Itogon-Sablan-La Trinidad (BLIST) circumferential road, and Naguilian Road, the repair, rerouting, declogging and construction of the drainage system of the City Camp Lagoon, among others. In addition, Mayor Domogan orchestrated the twin drive of cleaning and greening the city, which led to the city earning the title of "Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City" in the country for three consecutive years, elevating the city to the Hall of Fame Award category with a total monetary award of 5 million pesos, which was used to purchase garbage trucks. Moreover, Mayor Domogan was able to lead the city in garnering the highest award that the national government could bestow to a local government unit, namely, the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award for two consecutive years, thereby elevating the city, once again, to the Hall of Fame Award category

Congressman (2001-2010) edit

 
Domogan in 2005

Being barred by the constitution to run for his fourth consecutive term as mayor, he instead ran as congressman for the Lone District of Baguio in 1998.

During the 12th Congress, Congressman Domogan was able to file twenty (20) bills as main author and fifty (50) bills as co-author. Eleven of these bills have become laws of the land (Republic Acts). part of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), was devoted to programmed projects benefiting his constituents in the Barangays, public schools, poor but deserving students, indigent patients, livelihood projects, and computerization program on a continuing basis for elementary and high school of Baguio.

Knowing the problems of the City during the rainy months, he prioritized the dredging, revitalization and construction of the drainage system in the central business district, thus effectively solving the age-old problem of flooding at the foot of Session Road as well as the rehabilitation and repair of the biggest drainage system of the City from the Athletic Swimming Pool to the Rabbit Sink Hole. Cognizant of the City as a tourists destination, he campaigned to entice more visitors to come to Baguio. He Supported the Baguio City Police Office in its security concerns to provide a safe haven to tourists in the City. He provided the impetus to successful tourists-oriented activities such as the Panagbenga Flower Festival, Salad Bowl Festival, and the Summer Vacation Activities.

Mayor (2010–2019) edit

Being barred by the constitution to run for a fourth consecutive term in the Congress, he decided to reclaim his post as Mayor of Baguio for the 2010 election. He successfully reclaimed such post. He was again re-elected in 2013 and 2016.

2019 Congressional bid edit

Being barred by to run for a fourth consecutive term for the city's mayoralty post, he decided to try and reclaim his post as Congressman of the lone district of the CIty. He lost his bid to incumbent congressman Mark Go. This is the first time he lost in his lengthy political career, spanning over 2 decades. He said that he would return to private life and would never abandon the city.

Awards and recognition edit

Year Award / Recognition
2010 - 2019 National Gawad Parangal Hall of Fame Award

Association of Social Welfare and Development Officers, Inc. conferred to Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan its coveted Hall of Fame award as Outstanding City Mayor for highly urbanized cities in the delivery of social welfare and development programs in the city.

2010 Special Congressional Award

Awarded in 2010 by the Global Network News and the Philippine Congress Magazine.

2009 Baguio City Builder Award

Awarded by the Baguio Centennial Commission, for being among 100 select individuals who contributed to the building of Baguio City in its first 100 years of history.

2009 Fr. Jose Burgos Achievement Award

For being a Consistent and Outstanding Public Servant through the years.

2004 Congressional Hall of Fame Award

By Congress Magazine and Makati Graduate School for the four consecutive years proclaimed Most Outstanding Congressman.

2001 -  2004 Ten Outstanding Congressmen

By Congress Magazine and Makati Graduate School for the four consecutive years proclaimed Most Outstanding Congressman.

1998 Doctor of Philosophy Degree, Honoris Causa

Awarded in 1998 by the University of Baguio in recognition of his Good Governance of the City of Baguio.

1996 Select Outstanding Indigenous Leader (SOIL)

Philippines - Cordillera Administrative Region, February 26, 1996.

1996 Special Kalakbay Award

From the Department of Tourism, September 27, 1996.

1995 Likas Yaman Award

From the DENR-CAR, June 5, 1995.

1995 Most Cooperative Local Chief Executive Award

From the National Meat Inspection Service, Region I, Agoo, La Union on October 9, 1995.

1995 Lingkod Bayan Award

Personally presented by President Fidel V. Ramos on the occasion of the 95th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service on September 1995.

References edit

  1. ^ "Biography". www.mauriciodomogan.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Curriculum Vitae". www.mauriciodomogan.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.

External links edit

House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Representative, Lone District of Baguio
2001–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Reinaldo Bautista Jr.
Mayor of Baguio
2010–2019
Succeeded by