ATTY. ABENCIO TAGLE TORRES
Contents
Category: Significant Personality
District of Makato
About Atty. Torres
Atty. Abencio Tagle Torres, commonly called "Ben", was born on the 9th of May 1948. He completed his elementary education at Makato Elementary School presently Makato Integrated School and continued his secondary education at Aklan Central Institute Incorporated. He took Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Lyceum of the Philippines and graduated in 1967. After then, he pursued Bachelor of Laws at the University of the East and was successfully granted the degree in the year 1973. Ben was the grandson of Abencio Ybanez Torres who was a former Mayor of Makato, Aklan. He was married to Irma Condol Martinez, an auditor in the Bureau of Internal Revenue-Main Office. They were blessed with four children namely: Atty. Phillip, Albert (deceased), Korina, and Ma. Katrina.
He passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 1973 and became a Legal Officer of the Department of Tourism and received various awards and commendations for his significant contributions to the law profession and public service. From his work at the Bureau of Internal Revenue as Chief Revenue Officer for almost 33 years, he then decided to run for his people seeing his grandfather as an inspiration in leading the lives of every Makaton-on to its best. He unswervingly took the path of politics as he filed his candidacy to be the Municipal Mayor of Makato in the year 2013.
Even before he became Mayor, he had his foundation "The Mayor Abencio Y. Torres Foundation, Inc." which was launched on January 15, 2012, along with its annual celebration of the Makato Ati-Atihan Festival. He fostered the development and guidance of the young people as he believed that this generation will be the future of the country. He had great regard for those who are weak, weary, and helpless as he extended his helping hand. He protected not just the children, the youth, but above all, the old ones.
At the age of 69, he had proven his optimism from the moment he began his venture as the Municipal Mayor of Makato that age doesn't matter. For as long as you are eager to show and achieve things; your limit is just the horizon.
He served as municipal mayor for three consecutive terms from July 1, 2013 to May 28, 2022.
Significance
Aesthetic
Atty. Torres facilitated the natural preservation of Salimono Falls, improvement and beautification of Makato Plaza.
Social
Atty. Torres founded "The Mayor Abencio Y. Torres Foundation, Inc." which was launched on January 15, 2012, along with its annual celebration of the Makato Ati-Atihan Festival. He initiated the Makato Ten Outstanding Mentors for Teachers (MTOT). He also conducted basic drug awareness seminars, established the “Tokhang Drop Box” in all 18 barangays, and supported the Bagong Buhay Handum Naton! (BAGHAY) Program and the project Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE).
Socioeconomic
Atty. Torres supported the Department of Education, District of Makato through the Special Education Fund for the improvement and reconstruction of school facilities.
Socio-Political
During his term as municipal mayor, he facilitated the reconstruction and improvement of roads, buildings like Makato Public Market, Multi-Purpose Hall, Health Clinic, Birthing Facility, Pasalubong and Negosyo Center, and the improvement of street lights at Makato Plaza.
Major Accomplishments and Projects
Infrastructure/Economic
- Construction of 2.7 km Farm to Market Road
- Turnover of Completed Yolanda Permanent Housing Projects to the Local Government Units
- Improvement of Makato Public Market Left and Right Wings Perimeter Fence
- Improvement of Makato Public Market Trading Post
- Upgrading/Improvement/Repair of Health Center Facility
- Construction of Proposed Diversion Dam
- Construction of 1 Unit Day Care Center
- Improvement of Makato Public Market Meat and Vegetable Section
- Shelter/Room for Children in Conflict with the Law/ Children at Risk (CICL/CAR)
- Construction/Rehabilitation of Drainage
- Core Local Access in Eighteen Barangays
- Electrification Project of Poblacion Area including Plaza Vicinity Makato Integrated School to Public Market
- Construction of Multi-Purpose Hall
- Various Barangay Projects
Health
- Accredited Primary Health Clinic
- Accredited TB DOTS Package Provider
- Accredited MCP Provider
- Birthing Facility
- Construction of Evacuation Facility
Tourism
- Preservation of Salimono Falls
- Improvement of Parks and Plaza
- Construction of Makato Pasalubong Center
- Construction of Makato Negosyo Center
Peace and Order
- Strengthened Barangay Drug Clearing Program with the Regional Oversight Committee
- Conducts Basic Drug Awareness Seminars
- Establishment of Tokhang Drop Box in all 18 Barangays
- Establishment of Rehabilitation and Referral Desk through executive order
- BAGHAY (Bagong Buhay Handum Naton!) Program
- Strongly supports the project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
Good Governance, Transparency, and Accountability
- Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance 2014-2017
- Good Local Governance in Government Assessment (2017) in the areas:
- Disaster Preparedness Social Protection
- Business Friendliness and Competitiveness
- Environmental Management
- Peace and Order
- Tourism Culture and Arts
- Good Local Governance in Government Assessment (2016) in the areas:
- Environmental Management
- Peace and Order
- The Praise Award for Police Transformation
References
- Key Informant/s
- MA. KATRINA M. TORRES
- Daughter of Atty. Abencio T. Torres
- Reference/s and Other Resources
- https://www.superbrands.ph/MONA_books/2019/MOMA2019.html#p=100
- Name of Mappers
- FE S. REFULGENTE
- Teacher I, Baybay-Alibagon Integrated School
- JAYMON E. BRUTO
- Teacher III, Quirico T. Tabanera Elementary School
- Language Editor
- ANJHIELYN MAE C. CAHILIG
- Master Teacher I, Makato Integrated School
- Layout Artist
- MA. CHRISTINE B. TEJADA
- Teacher II, Makato Integrated School
- Content Evaluator
- JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE
- Teacher III, Regional Science High School
- DENNIS E. BONTOGON
- Master Teacher III, Kalibo Pilot Elementary School
- Approved
- RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD
- Education Program Supervisor, Araling Panlipunan
- Date Profiled
- May 6, 2023
Other Sources
- Ma. Katrina M. Torres, daughter of Atty. Abencio T. Torres
- https://www.superbrands.ph/MONA_books/2019/MOMA2019.html#p=100
