Personal Profile
of Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan
Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan or “ Morris” to his friends and supporters, traces his roots in the Cordillera. Born to parents Benito and Eusebia on October 10,1946 in the very remote sitio of Bab-asig, Patiacan, Quirino (formerly Angaki) Ilocos Sur, and within the boundaries of Besao, Mountain Province and Tubo, Abra, Morris was orphaned at an early age.
Hiking trails of two kilometers barefoot everyday going to school was part of the hardships he had to endure during his childhood. But despite those, Morris graduated at the top of his class at Patiacan Elementary School in 1961.
To finish secondary education at Lepanto High School Lepanto Mankayan Benguet, Morris had to support himself doing odd jobs at the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company. And to support himself in College he became a rondalla band member.
Morris obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969 at the University of Baguio (formerly Baguio Technical Institute) and his Bachelor of Laws in 1973 at the University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio Colleges Foundation). He passed the Bar Examinations given in the same year.
As a new lawyer, Atty. Mauricio G. Domogan embarked upon building a strong foundation in his law by working in Defense of Rights of Laborers. He worked as counsel for employees unions, such as, the Lepanto employees union, BPI employees union, Baguio Country Club employees union, Hyatt Terraces employees union, Associated Labor union and Pines Hotel labor union, among others. He rendered services as legal (counsel to people) who worked in the City market through the Domogan Law Office, which he established.
Mauricio G. Domogan began his Political career as a Councilor in the City of Baguio from 1988-1992. He was elected Vice Mayor in May 1992 serving in that capacity for early two months because by July 1992, he was designated as Acting Mayor, and by October of the same year Domogan assumed as Mayor of Baguio City when the incumbent Mayor was declared lacking the requisite citizenship by the Supreme Court.
Thus began the challenging service of the self-styled “Janitor” of the City of Baguio. His popularity is evidenced by the faith and confidence of his constituents who elected Mayor Domogan, their servant- leader for three consecutive terms.
Domogan’s first term (1992-1995) as Mayor of Baguio City was marked by the Herculean task of rehabilitating the City from the aftermath of the July 16, 1990 killer earthquake. This distinctive achievement has been well nigh” unheralded and unsung”. But this feat involved the cooperative/collaborative efforts and teamwork of the City officialdom and the City residents side by side with the National Leadership at that time. More than just rehabilitating Baguio City, their common goal was to rebuild a greater Baguio from rubbles. Mayor Domogan’s “down to earth leadership”, his “hands on management style”, ”leadership by example”, and his talent for teamwork helped achieve their common goal.
His second term(1995-1998) and third(1998-2001) saw the continuation of the massive re-construction of roads, bridges and public edifices. Most significant of which were the modernization of the Marcos Highway and the Naguilian Road (Baguio-Bawang Highway) into the first all weather highway that leads to this city. Furthermore, he was able to improve most of the city’s roads which is why people are now enjoying concrete road networks. Major road systems like the Bokawkan road, Leonard Wood Road, Session Road, Harrison Road, to mention a few are now in a very good condition due to Domogan’s leadership.
In a move that shows his foresight of the future, Mayor Domogan took the lead in the convening of the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon Sablan and Tuba (concept) leaders and concerned line agencies and private sector concerned. The BLIST concept was recommended by the European planners as early 1992 amid the devastation brought about by the 1990 killer earthquake. The concept aims for an integrated development for the five local government units.
Relative to the BLIST concept, he also spearheaded the conceptualization and implementation of the Circumferential road that aims to ease the traffic congestion in the Central Business District by providing alternate road access to in and from the city outskirts at the same time alternative link to the city’s neighboring towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, and Tuba.
One of the most significant achievement of Domogan during his stint as city Mayor was when he successfully, orchestrated the twin drive of cleaning and greening the City of Baguio. As a result, the City of Baguio was recognized as the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City in the entire country for three consecutive years, in 1995, 1996, and 1997 thus, elevating it to the Hall of Fame category with a monetary award of P5, 000,000.00. Mayor Domogan was also awarded the Lingkod Bayan Award which was personally presented to him by then President Fidel V. Ramos on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service in 1995.
Also in 1995, Mayor Domogan was awarded the Most Cooperative Local Chief executive Award by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC) and the Likas Yaman Award given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In 1996, Mayor Domogan was the recipient of the Special Kalakbay Award given by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
He was also selected as Outstanding Indigenous Leader of the Philippines-CAR. His leadership by example stirred Cordillera Indigenous People of their cultural consciousness. Domogan single-handedly brought back the pride of wearing the “Wanes” (G-String) during social gatherings by attending such occasions in “Full Igorot Regala” Something that was only seen during the time of the late Congressman Bado Dangwa and Gov. Alfredo “Gayagay” Lam-en or 30 years ago. Furthermore, he have been considered the most culturally conscious mayor and the most artists friendly mayor and leader at that by the artists and cultural advocates of his time.
In terms of the fiscal Performance of the Baguio City from 1992-2001 during his stewardship as Mayor of the City the following figures eloquently speak of his impressive achievements. At the Beginning of his term in 1992, the City’s Cash on Hand was Php 86,946,517.12, its Income was Php 119,757,428.05 and its Budget was Php 142,185,267.95. By the end of his term in 2001, the City’s Cash on Hand was Php 604,202,448.54,its Income was Php 514,747,259.82 and its Budget was Php 601,002,553.30.
Cognizant of all these achievements of Mayor Domogan in 1998, the University of Baguio awarded him a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy. “ Honoris Causa” in recognition of his good governance as Mayor of the City.
Domogan’s outstanding performance as Mayor of the City of Baguio foreshadowed his performance in the House of Representatives. First elected in May 2001 and re- elected in may 2004 Congressman Domogan has served as Representative of the Lone District of Baguio City during the 12th and 13th Congress.
Self- styled as “Messenger” of the people of Baguio City, Domogan has truly become the authentic voice of his constituents in the Halls of Congress: speaking in their behalf and for their benefit and welfare.
During the 12th Congress, Congressman Domogan’s legislative performance speaks for itself: Twenty(20) bills filed as main author and fifty (50) bills filed as co-author and a total of eleven (11) bills which have become laws of the Land (Republic Acts). Exclusively from his Priority Development Assistance Fund(PDAF) in the amount of Php 167.5 million all devoted to programmed projects benefiting Baguio constituents in the barangays, public schools, scholarships to poor but deserving students, financial assistance to indigent patients and livelihood projects and computerization program on a continuing basis for the public high schools and elementary schools of Baguio City.
Knowing the problems besieging the City during the rainy months, Congressman Domogan prioritized the dredging, revitalizing and construction of the drainage system in the central business district effectively solving the age-old problem of flooding at the foot of Session road. Cognizant of the City as a tourist destination, he projected himself as a tourism salesman to entice more visitors to come to Baguio City. He supported the Baguio City Police Office(BCPO) in its security concerns to provide a safe haven for tourists in Baguio. He also provided necessary impetus in bringing about successful tourist-oriented activities such as the Panagbenga ‘Flower Festival’, Salad Bowl festival, the Summer Vacation (SUMVAC) activities, among others.
At the 12th Congress, Congressman Domogan was a member of eleven (11) committees, foremost of whish was as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. He was also a member of three(3) Special Committees.
Because of his consistent performance and hard work during his 1st year in Congress, he was recognized and awarded as one of the 2001 Ten Most Outstanding Neophyte Congressmen sponsored by the Congress Magazine, Berhad Holding Investment, reserved Soldiers Union and Makati Graduate School. The same award was given to him 2002 and 2003 as one of the ten Most Outstanding Congressmen by the same award-giving body.
His performance during the 12th Congress was capped by scoring a perfect attendance as certified by the Office of the secretary General.
At the 13th Congress, he was appointed and has served as a worthy member of the House of Representatives Electoral tribunal(HRET). Currently, he was also a member of twelve (12) House Committees and three (3) Special Committees.
His legislative performance during the 13th Congress includes ten (10) bills filed as main author and twelve (12) bills as co-author. Two(2) of these bills are now laws, i.e. RA No. 9337, (enacted on May 24,2005) an Act Amending certain sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended and for other purposes and No. 9340 (enacted on Sept.22,2005), an Act Amending RA 9164, resetting the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election and for other purposes.
Like his single-minded efforts to rebuild a better Baguio after the earthquake when he was Mayor of the City, now as Congressman, he has painstakingly drafted a bill which will update and upgrade the old charter of the City of Baguio. He has introduced House bill No. 3617, an act revising the Charter of the City of Baguio. This bill is currently with the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
Year 2005 saw him distributing Php 40 million worth of identified and prioritized district-wide projects chargeable against his Priority development Assistance Fund (PDAF) equally.
He was recipient of the Most Outstanding Congressman award by the Metropolitan Press and Radio TV Club of the Philippines, Inc. He was given recognition as 2004 Congressional Hall of Fame Awardee for having been repeatedly proclaimed Most Consistent Outstanding congressman for four consecutive years sponsored by Congress Magazine. In 2006, he was installed into the EMERITUS CONGRESSIONAL HONOR for having been adjudged most Outstanding Congressman for five consecutive years.
His perfect attendance merited another certificate of recognition issued by the Secretary general in 2006.
In a more personal note Mauricio “Morris” G. Domogan is happily married to Mrs. Rebecca Napeek Domogan with whom he has three daughters: Janice Marie, Jillian April and joy Allison.
