Takit Bersamin

Eustaquio "Takit" Purugganan Bersamin (born March 13, 1947) is a Filipino politician who is the governor from Abra, Philippines since 2025. He won the May 12, 2025, local elections as the candidate of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Bersamin previously served as governor from 2007 to 2016 and is scheduled to return to office on June 30, 2025. He is the brother of Lucas P. Bersamin, who serves as Executive Secretary of the Philippines and is former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Bersamin was born into a political family in Abra. His father, Dr. Luis F. Bersamin, Sr., served in the Philippine Medical Corps during World War II and survived the Bataan Death March. After the war, he was appointed governor of Abra during the post-liberation period. Bersamin's mother, Rosario Purruganan, was a pharmacist and the daughter of Eustaquio Purruganan, who also served as governor of Abra and representative during the American colonial period.

Peace and order initiatives

Abra, a province with a history of election-related incidents, saw a decline in violent incidents during local elections under Bersamin's administration.

Economic and livelihood programs

Bersamin supported local economic initiatives under the national "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) program. His administration promoted bamboo-based industries and the revival of traditional natural dye production. These efforts aligned with cultural and livelihood development goals in the province.

Health and social services

In 2013, the Abra Provincial Hospital was inaugurated in Barangay Calaba, Bangued, during Bersamin's term as governor. The ₱200 million facility included a ₱180 million loan from Land Bank and ₱20 million from provincial funds. The 170-bed hospital was equipped with updated medical technologies and supported by the Department of Health and a community-led “Adopt-a-Room” program.

Electoral history