AFTER the embittered battle for Speakership which resulted in the dismal oust of Speaker Jose de Venecia, and the election of Mindanao’s Rep. Nograles, many Pangasinenses are left wondering why three of Pangasinan’s five congressmen voted the way they did. Whey didn’t the five vote as one solid group the way the “Mindanao Bloc” voted for Mindanao’s son? Not that their three votes would have overturned the results, this time, but hey, where has the “Pangasinan Spirit” to fend for one’s own, gone?

According to historian Miguel de Loarca, “the people of Pangasinan were industrious. They were spirited and a proud race of men and women, and such materials in other’s hands would form the foundation of all that is good and excellent” failed to express itself when given the chance in Congress to do so. The materials to form the foundation was there in the good congressmen and women of Pangasinan. But alas, politics is more complicated and involved than a mere historian’s observation. And few would admit that, yes, it is not as simple as supporting someone just because that person is from the same province especially if philosophies and political views differ. However,  one tends to believe that when one is projected to the national scene and is expected to defend “homeland” one’s choices are limited especially if that choice, that vote, is not a deciding factor anyway in the outcome.  What’s the point of rubbing it in?

One tends to believe however, that when a province mate is propelled to the national scene and represents the province, the choices are limited and favors toward the defense of “homeland”. In this case, even if their votes were not a deciding factor in the outcome, it is well deserved that the solid support of the province is and above intramurals. In the face of national humiliation and severe beating, the absence of solid support for a province mate is deplorable.

It is a season of conflict and personal vendetta from all points of the land. The President who rides on the crest of economic gains for the country was neither spared of the season of change. Pangasinan giants have come to head buts as we watch in silent disappointment and regrets. Through no personal fault of either leader, events have developed to reveal such profound resentments and accusations back and forth bringing in the echelons of government and the private sector into the “confrontasi”. Alas, Pangasinan bleeds, as the country grieves for peace, progress and truth.

Even as Pangasinan leaders battle at national levels, other regions realign themselves to claim equal time and rights. Mindanao Region demand their development and progress with the assumption of Rep. Nograles as Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Pangasinan leaders bring the intramurals nationwide. Already the conflict is bigger than our province. Ideally, it would be nice to think that there shall be healing and the leadership of the country shall regain equanimity.

When students of the future shall read of the conflicts of today, they will realize that the issues are not about lofty ideals and visions but rather of common street dirt of graft and corruption, and the absence of one solid leadership. Maybe lessons shall result from this conflict, one that shall teach young generations yet to come, in the future.

]]> http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/371/feed/ http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/370 http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/370#comments Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:06:25 +0000 pdscribe Features http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/370

I GAVE Nostradamus, the French soothsayer who clearly saw tomorrow, a run for his Euro money when I accurately predicted that our Pambansang Kamao Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao would bring Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez to his knees in the first few rounds of their super featherweight fight in Las Vegas last Sunday.

While Marquez drew the first blood by dominating the first and second rounds, Pacquiao shocked the entire planet in the third round when he knocked down the “Dynamite Fighter”, battering and hobbling him physically.

Marquez survived the onslaught of Pacquiao’s volley of punches when the bell came to his rescue, but managed to win the fourth and fifth rounds.

The PACMAN lost rounds 6, 7 and 8 to Marquez as he absorbed a nasty cut on his right eye that came as a handicap for the Pinoy brawler as he draws the killer punch form his left hand.

Again, Manny proved he was a hell of a talented ring strategist when he changed his styl from an aggressor to a counter puncher – a TACTIC that paid off as the judges chose him as the winner of round 11.

Both fighters engaged in a fierce exchange of punches and fought on even terms in the 12^th round, even as boxing fans and aficionados gave both fighters an even chance to win the celebrated rematch dubbed as THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

As I said in my last column, Manny is one-dimensional ring artist who could easily outwit his quarry. And the sports warrior has this to say about people doubting Manny’s world-class boxing ability:

NEVER – EVER – underestimate the heart of a true champion who ruled what was billed as a boxing match fit for movie or film production – starring Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino pride who proverbially rose from the grave to fight – again – the following day just to save his beloved country from unfair criticisms that it is a banana torn apart by endless political bickerings and embroiled in riveting charges of corruption and greed.

* * * *

Did you know that basketball superstars Marlou Aquino surprised me and my colleagues in the Sangguniang Barangay with a whirlwind visit at the barangay hall last Wednesday morning?

The 6’9” center of the Sta. Lucia Realty, which remains as a PBA team member to reckon with, came with his ward Byron Jake Vidal, son of University of Luzon Golden Tigers head coach Jackal Vidal.

For those who were born yesterday, Marlou comes from a rustic village of Sta. Barbara, but he rose to national prominence and earned the distinctions as the best hoopster Pangasinan ever produced.

Marlou, Jackal and I are buddies of long standing. We have many things in common. We are all romantic and exemplary basketball lovers and promoters.

Marlou belonged to the big league of amateur basketball players before he was recruited to play in the PBA, which gave him the rare chance of becoming a member of the elite national pool of basketeers.

In 1996, Marlou annexed the PBA rookie of the year title and holds the record as a starter-member of six PBA champion teams ( three from Ginebra and three from Sta. Lucia).

Marlou is not only a professional basketball star, but a civic-spirited person who finds self fulfillment in scouting potential basketball players from our beloved province to play in Manila.

He put up a basketball camp, which serves as a haven that specializes in honing the skills and mental toughness and agility of players who could compete nationally and internationally.

On this season of Lent, sports warrior joins the whole Christendom in reflecting on the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the super athlete and sports great who is second to none.

Happy Easter!

]]> http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/370/feed/ http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/368 http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/368#comments Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:01:39 +0000 pdscribe News http://peoplesdigest.prepys.com/archives/368 MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo brought cheers to some 10,000 people of the third district of Pangasinan, including Dagupan City, when she brought here bundles of services from various government agencies.

Arriving here at 12:00 noon enroute to Baguio City, President Arroyo – accompanied by Governor Amado Espino, Jr. and Pangasinan third district Rep. Rachel Arenas – launched the Day Care Food-For School Program that would soon be adopted nationwide.

She was accompanied by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Trade Secretary Peter Favila.

Before distributing bundles of services, she presided over the groundbreaking rites of a proposed two storey school building costing P4 million at the Malasiqui Central School.

The activities, which included medical and dental services, were held coinciding with the Women’s Month Celebration.

Among those distributed were 70 pregnant women kits that comprise among others multi-vitamins and iron supplement, 177 scholarships through the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 25 “Galing Mekaniko Ako” tools, 25 Galing Masahista Ako Kits, and 70 Philippine Health Insurance cards, including bags of rice.

She also distributed two tractors and about 20 water pumps for different fanners association.

President Arroyo and party were welcomed by Malasiqui Acting Mayor Mariano Espino and Mayors Roy Macanlalay of Calasiao, Reynaldo Velasco of Sta. Barbara, Ricardo Camacho of Bayambang, Ferdinand Calimlim of Mapandan, Alipio Fernandez of Dagupan City and Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello of San Carlos City.

Acknowledging the mammoth given to her, Mrs. Arroyo thanked the people of the third district of Pangasinan, and Dagupan City for their expression of support to her administration. (PNA)

DA Field Regional Director Cipriano Santiago said weather permitting, the region will be able to harvest its target of 1.7 million metric tons of rice in the coming wet season.

He said the 1.7 million metric tons will be the region’s contribution to the nation that could help boost the country’s rice stockpile.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap earlier mobilized the DA field office to motivate farmers to expand their production areas and to plant the hybrid rice varieties.

DA is making available hybrid rice and certified seeds for use of the region’s farmers.

Santiago said the DA programmed 310,000 hectares of land to be planted with rice in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Pangasinan, the biggest province in Region I, is where more than one half of the programmed areas will come from.

“We will see to it that all the programmed areas will really be planted to ensure sufficient supply of rice after the harvesting season,” he added.

Santiago said the expected harvest of 1.7 million metric tons will be more than enough to supply the needs of the region’s population, with the excess to be sold outside.

“We in Region I will not have any problem with rice as we can produce for our own consumption,” Santiago said.

The region has just harvested its second cropping for rice and is now looking for a third cropping starting in May this year.

Some 6,000 hectares of land will be planted for the third cropping season, which is DA’s quick turn-around program for rice.

Most of the third crop rice will be planted in Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte whose farmers are traditional planting rice early. (PNA)

A vital link from Bayambang town to Bautista, the Calvo Bridge underwent construction by the third quarter of last year but appeared the work is not making any progress at all.

Arenas was informed that the people are now getting impatient over the sluggish pace of construction of the Calvo bridge.

The people of Bautista have yet to take a long circuitous road via Villasis, Urdaneta, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao and Malasiqui in going to Bayambang as no detour bridge was provided.

Arenas said she inspected the project last week and was told it will really take long to put up the foundation of the bridge.

The neophyte congresswoman said P70 million was granted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make the project a reality.

The Calvo Bridge, which connects Bayambang to Bautista and all the way to Alcala, Sto. Tomas and Rosales towns was damaged during the 1990 earthquake and underwent only major repair.

Arenas said completion of the new Calvo Bridge will not only benefit the people of the Third District but also the fifth and sixth districts of Pangasinan.

Four other bridges, two in Malasiqui, another one in Bayambang and one in Calasiao are also being lined up for construction this year.

All these bridges, including the Calvo bridge, are under the Bridge Program of President Arroyo in the countryside. (PNA)

Fernandez, speaking for his father, Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr., said local revenues here must meet the requirements of a first class city.

At present, Dagupan is a second class city just like San Carlos, Urdaneta, Alaminos and the other Ilocos Region cities.

It is also the vision of the present city administration to make Dagupan City ISO9000 certified by next year by simplifying operations to ensure that taxpayers have an easy time understanding what to do to pay their taxes.

Fernandez said instructions on how to transact business in Dagupan shall be clear and simple, accessible in electronic billboards, tarpaulins, cable televisions, departments concerned and others.

A brochure on the statistics of Dagupan shall be published and updated on a yearly basis to provide information to any interested investor on the wide customer base the city can offer.

One of the plans of the city is to put up a new fish market possibly to be located somewhere in Lucao to make it more accessible to fish traders.

The move will beef up the present Magsaysay Fish Market located in the downtown area and could ensure that Dagupan remain as fish trading capital of Northern Luzon.

At the same time, the city government intends to establish a Special Economic Zone in the Bonuan area where investors may occupy.

It is in the Bonuan area where a US 2.2 million dollars Seafood Processing Plant funded by a grant from the Korean government will soon be established in June this year.

On the other hand, lands that are delinquent in the payment of Real Property Tax after three warnings were proposed to be transferred in the name of the city for possible development aimed for educational purposes and livelihood generation. (PNA)

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Senator Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ Escudero was adopted son of La Union by virtue of a resolution enacted by the provincial board.

Resolution No. 009-2008 was presented to Senator Escudero by Governor Manuel Ortega, Vice Governor Eulogio Clarence Martin de Guzman III and members of the provincial board on March 2 when the senator was the guest of honor and speaker during the 158^th La Union Foundation Anniversary celebration.

The resolution stated that Senator Escudero has endeared himself to the people of La Union due to his unending support to the different projects and programs of the provincial government.

Among others, Escudero crossed party lines in supporting the inclusion of the former U.S. Wallace Air Station into the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone as provided for in Republic Act No. 9400.

This spurred both economic and tourism investment opportunities from local and foreign, thus greatly improving the province’s economic progress and well-being of its people.

Senator Escudero likewise supported and fast-tracked the approval some years back of the cityhood of the City of San Fernando which is now a flourishing and progressive city working harmoniously with the Province of La Union.

His adoption as son of the Province of La Union would further strengthen the bond of common concern and oneness among our people – giving inspiration and motivation in the pursuit of a stronger republic. (PNA)

Ordinance No. 07-08 authored by Councilor Samuel Millora slapped a fine of P200 to the violator and in place of fine, the offender will be forced to render community service for three days of eight hours each.

Approved on February 26, 2008, the ordinance was sought by City Health Officer Dr. Pablo Mondok III.

The ordinance was aimed at protecting citizens who inhale the second hand smoke coming from the smoker inside public utility vehicles.

Records showed that all over the world, many non-smokers are dying by inhaling smokers’ smoke. (PNA)

This was clarified by Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan as he branded as disinformation talks insisting that the provincial government is set to secure a P950 million letter of credit with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Baraan said the P950 million letter of credit is being offered not only by Land Bank but also the Philippine National Bank, Postal Savings Bank and Philippine Veterans Bank.

But the province is not taking any loan at this time because it has enough funds yet to be spent for its various development projects.

Governor Amado Espino, Jr. enumerated last week several projects the province intends to pursue without pointing out where to get funds to finance all these.

Baraan said several of these projects are in fact ongoing and are being financed from the province’s development funds.

“There is no need for us to borrow. We have sufficient funds to implement important and basic development programs and projects,” Baraan said.

He chided what he called the unfounded reaction of the public, including members of the media, about the supposed P950 million letter of credit with the Land Bank.

The P950 million credit facility was extended by the banks because they are confident about the capability of the province to pay, Baraan said.

He added that the offers were just guarantees that in case the province avails of a loan, funds would be readily made available by these banks.

He made it clear that these banks, “out of respect to the province, are just reserving the amount for the province if it later secures a loan.”

At present, Pangasinan has an outstanding loan with Land Bank in the amount of P350 million spent by the previous Agbayani administration in rehabilitating irrigation projects.

Baraan said even if the province is paying P13 million a month for that loan, the banks are confident that the province has the capacity to obtain more loans.

Pangasinan has an Internal Revenue Allotment of P14 billion yearly, one of the biggest in the country given Pangasinan’s land area and population.

Baraan also clarified that if ever the provincial government decides to get a loan later, it will first get the approval of the provincial board and submit to it a list of projects to be funded.

Provincial Board Member Alfonso Bince, Jr. served notice he will oppose any proposal for the province to secure a letter of credit which he considers a sort of a blank check to be given to the provincial executive.

He said he will favor if it is a direct loan for specific projects, but not a bank letter of credit. (PNA)

This is in view of the impending precarious rice situation not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world due to grains underproduction last year.

“NFA will have to continue buying rice. Walang choice ang NFA, if any one sells palay, this needs to be bought,” said Yap, in an interview after opening the 2008 Agricultural Exposition here.

He said in view of the precarious rice situation even in the world market where many of the rice exporters are no longer selling, there is a need to police the way the government injects rice into market.

Yap admitted that the prolonged drought as a result of El Niño that set in during the middle part of last year affected rice production in some areas.

There is a need to be careful in unloading rice into the market, he added, pointing out that it is not good to just unload and unload for as long as rice is available because when time comes that the country needs rice, there is always stock that can be tapped.

He said that in the localities, only the regular rice allocation of NFA should be released to authorized outlets.

“The job of the NFA is to make sure that there is rice in the market, so people will have something to eat,” he added.

At the same time, Yap said that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered that anybody in the NFA caught conniving with private traders to divert rice would be made to face a criminal case in court.

He said they are already doing this as one regional manager and two provincial managers are now being investigated.

At the same time, Yap said that the most important is, the government must continue to sustain Philippine agriculture as the country can not depend on imported rice alone. (PNA)