A LOCAL party has launched an expansion program to strengthen its base in the city and in Western Visayas.

Ugyon Party president Niel Tupas Sr. said the main concern of the party is to expand membership with authority from the major administration party and develop political consciousness of the Ilonggos.

Tupas said the party is leaving a strong imprint in the political scenario of Iloilo and in the region.

Tupas, a Liberal Party (LP) chairman in Iloilo, said there is strong possibility for Ugyon to evolve as a party-list and to have its own congressman following the recent victory of newly elected politicians in the province.

In Iloilo City, the LP-Ugyon banner is carried by city councilors Nielex Tupas, Lyndon Acap, RLeone Gerochi, Arman Parcon, and Liecel Zulueta.

In the 4th district, newly elected mayors Carlos Cabangal of Banate, Rolando Distura of Dumangas and Ramona Go of San Enrique broke the opposition hold and carried the LP banner to win the election. The remaining five town mayors quickly sought Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. to show cooperation with the administration.

In the 5th district, LP-Ugyon candidates posted landslide win in five municipalities of Carles, Concepcion, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, and San Dionisio. While the six remaining town executives of Estancia, Batad, Balasan, Sara, Lemery, and Ajuy also sought out Defensor's patronage in the administration party.

On Tuesday, more than 200 local politicians, who were elected in the May 13, 2013 polls in the city and in the fourth and fifth districts of the province of Iloilo, took oath as members under the LP-Ugyon regional party.

Ugyon, which was organized in 2005, includes majority of newly elected municipal mayors, vice mayors and Municipal Council members in the 4th and 5th districts of the province, including the city.