Playing with Fire
The McAdore Issue
By Gonzalo Duque
SOMEONE reacted to our column item last week regarding our suggestion that congressional candidate, our kumare Celia Lim’s picture on her political billboards should be replaced with one with a smiling face.
We said that her foto, although not without the aura of her innate beauty, projects a serious face. Kung sabagay, may mga problema ang ating distrito na dapat harapin seriously… and so if our suggestion would require a costly retouching, we take back our advice.
On the other side, we also have a comment on the billboard of her rival, Gina De Venecia, shown with an alcohol product to ostensively clean her hands after shaking the hands of the great unwashed?… Para banag siay nandidiri sa mga kinakamayan sa mga pobreng masa.
O, patas na kayo ha? We don’t mean any harm but just a constructive criticism, which we, columnists, are privileged to do as part of our job.
Huwag kayong sisimangot ha?
Ayan, maghugas na tayo ng kamay with alcogel ala Pontius Pilate!
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The McAdore building has become an election issue with City Administrator Alvin Fernandez describing it as a useless building. It was purchased by the city when Benjie Lim was the mayor.
In a chance meeting, Engr. Flor Cuison, Dean of the University of Luzon, College of Engineering, told us it’s a sturdy and strong building and ideal for public use, like say, a substitute for our aging or Jurassic city hall building.
The McAdore, originally owned by businesswoman Modesta Sabeniano, was the most beautiful engineering feat in the heart of the city in the 70’s and 80’s. It was a place to go to, and we heard that it was constructed to the tune of millions of pesos. (Was it P75 million, Jun V?) Detailed architectural and engineering studies were put into it. So, we suggest, huwag padalosdalos na itapon yan!
Engr. Flor’s advice: don’t just reject the building. Get engineering experts to determine its safety features and make it useful, rather than denounce the city’s purchase of it. Let’s have a creative, pragmatic approach in dealing with the issue, eh, Alvin?
This McAdore issue brings us back to the tragic failure of the city government to construct a handsome presidencia. How come the nearby towns of Binmaley, San Fabian, San Jacinto and Manaoag have newly constructed municipios? Natutulog ba ang ating mga mayores? Al Fernandez has been city mayor for several years! Why hasn’t he done anything about it?
Isa rin yang Benjie na yan, who was the mayor for six years! Wala ba kayong mga mata?
At this juncture, we cite then Speaker Joe De Venecia who at the height of his power practically brought the national government’s logistical power to the district, but none for a City Hall?
Bakit kaya?
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That was a good point raise about the long delayed construction of the Dagupan City High School Alumni building. Up to now, what’s left standing at the very front of the old city high building is an alumni building that will never be. We understand Mayor Al Fernandez, who did not graduate in the school, was even forced to take over its unfinished construction because the alumni have failed to do it. Wawa naman!
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Here’s a quiet reaction from Dagupan City Councilor Pacoy Torio to a post item: “May I remind you that in politics, everything is unpredictable thus, there is no such thing as miracle. This is all. Thank you.”
Very sincerely yours,
(Sgd.) Coun. Pacoy C. Torio
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