Batangas City – Marking a historic return to public service, nine years after her last term, Governor Vilma Santos-Recto officially resumed her role as provincial governor of Batangas during the Inaugural Address, vowing to lead with heart, strength, and renewed purpose.
In a deeply personal yet forward-looking speech, the Governor recounted her previous term from 2007 to 2016, expressing gratitude for the trust of the Batangueños that led to her comeback.
“I didn’t plan this comeback. I was asked — and I simply could not say no,” she said. “Hindi ako nag-ambisyon. But I was called to serve again. And I’m here not just as a public official — but as a mother to our province.”
Acknowledging that much has changed in the last decade, Gov. Santos-Recto emphasized the need for updated strategies and innovative interventions to meet the evolving needs of Batangueños particularly the youth, who now make up a significant portion of the population.
To institutionalize her vision, she signed four key Executive Orders right after her assumption of office. These lay the groundwork for her recalibrated development agenda under the HEARTS Program — which stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads and Infrastructure, Tourism and Technology, and Security and Social Welfare.
Signed Executive Orders:
EO No. 01-2025 – Task Force Matatag na Kalusugan
Aimed at the rehabilitation and modernization of the 13 hospitals in Batangas, this EO seeks to fill long-standing gaps in public health services through:
• Increased manpower complement,
• Adequate medical supplies and updated equipment, and
• Proper hospital facilities ready to serve especially low-income communities.This includes preparations to absorb the upcoming first batch of graduates from Batangas State University’s medical and allied health programs into the provincial health workforce.
EO No. 02-2025 – Task Force Matatag na Scholars
This EO reforms the provincial scholarship program to be merit- and needs-based, with the goal of:
• Expansion of the Scholarship Program and improving the examination and selection process;
• Expanding reach to economically disadvantaged but deserving youth.Gov. Santos-Recto also highlighted her legislative role in the passage and implementation of the Free College Education Law.
EO No. 03-2025 – Task Force Matatag at Ligtas na Batangas
Drawing from recent and past disasters from the recent typhoons and the Taal Volcano eruption, this EO seeks to strengthen the province’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities through:
• Enhanced risk reduction and management protocols;
• Improved evacuation, relief, and rehabilitation operations;
• Capacity-building and logistical readiness of the Provincial DRRM Office.EO No. 04-2025 – Task Force Matatag na Pagbabantay
Focused on crime prevention and public safety, this EO creates a centralized body tasked to:
• Implement and monitor comprehensive crime prevention strategies;
• Increase police visibility and community engagement, and;
• Promote intelligence-driven and partnership-based enforcement to ensure a safer Batangas.In her speech, the Governor also stressed the value of inclusive leadership and results-driven teamwork ending on a note of humility and resolve, she declared:
“I will serve Batangas again with all my heart. I will just do my best, and trust that God will take care of the rest.”
