Punchline
A report card on Pangasinan
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
FROM a range of 1-10 (10 being the highest), my assessment of the Espino administration’s performance in 2011 is it performed creditably well with an 8. Here are some of the good things we had last year worth remembering.
Topping the list of “well-done” accomplishments of Guv Spines’ administration are in health, cultural, sports and economic initiatives.
The completion of the rehabilitation of the building and basic facilities at the 9 provincial hospitals underscored the commitment of Guv Spines to take care of the health of Pangasinenses. The continuous upgrading of widely-used equipment with new technology gave patients at the provincial hospitals a high level of confidence in the capability of government hospitals to treat them.
The Guv’s push for cultural revival and promotion of the province’s roots is irrefutably admirable. At a time when young people are more driven by and awed by smart gadgets, and both culture and history are taking a backseat, the campaign to instill pride in Pangasinan as a people and as a province is a bold step in the right direction. With the creation of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, the Pangasinan Hymn, I have confidence that the once dying Pangasinan language will live through another generation.
The numerous tournament series staged by the capitol in various mental and physical sports are the right antidote to the growing illegal drugs menace. This early, the province is already reaping its rewards with the successful bids of many locals in national and international chess events. The capitol’s successful bid to host this year’s Palarong Pambansa is a testament to the administration’s commitment. (I only hope he will also launch a series of tournaments in swimming, rowing, football and cycling soon, sports events where height is not a big factor. An annual epic cycling race for professional and amateur cyclists will be colorful and engaging for the whole province.
The establishment and start of operation of the Rice Processing Plant in Sta. Barbara and the National Statistical Center, the dedicated support of the provincial government for Pangasinan’s OFWs and their families, the aggressive action to counter future fishkills are top billers in the capitol’s economic agenda. Then amid the rush to increase real estate taxes, the provincial government provided a relief via installment scheme.
The initiative that demonstrated a big measure of political will was in the creation and support for the Task Force Kalikasan. The only disappointing development was the sudden resignation of its director Pat Orduna who made it in my book as a “go-getter with effective management style.” Through the TF’s efforts, Pangasinan bagged the Likas Yaman Award as the best in the region.
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LETDOWNS. The biggest letdown is in the Espino government’s maintenance of peace and order and in the campaign vs. illegal gambling.
The number of victims of hired-gun killers already began to hit the ceiling. It was clear that the tandem-riding killers were two steps ahead of the law enforcers and were able to strike with impunity, thanks to the poor intelligence efforts of the provincial PNP and the Guv’s office. The helplessness of the provincial government was evident as targets for murder were falling even in daylight. What was disappointing was to see Guv Spines calm even in the face of the reports of series of killings. He was expected to be angry and fuming mad at the police that lives were being wasted under his watch, and he visibly was not. That the PNP did not appear alarmed by the incidents as well was not reassuring. (When one hears of how Davao City has rid itself of criminal elements, one wonders why Guv Spines, a former top cop, cannot make it happen as governor). While Pangasinan PNP had the highest rate of arrests of wanted persons in the region, it also saw several cops under its command involved in a number of homicide cases.
Another big letdown in the Espino administration was its refusal to chase the jai-teng (jai-alai-cum-jueteng) operations of Meridien Vista Gaming Corp out of the province. This even after DILG operatives in Metro Manila had shown that off-fronton betting stations were actually into jueteng, not jai-alai. People began to wonder if Guv Spines was protecting jueteng after all.
The theft of cables was not contained and that resulted in protracted disruption of phone and electric services in a number of towns.
In the area of environmental protection, Guv Spines still had not lifted a finger to make the Pangasinan a zero-dumpsite province. Towns and cities continue to violate Solid Waste Management Act.
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But the province had a lot of good news to share and relish, too. Here are some trivia:
The Drug Rehabilitation Center in Dagupan was finally opened, made possible by efforts of Former Speaker Joe de V and his wife Rep. Gina, and Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Antonio “Bebot“ Villar…Dagupan’s VM Belen Fernandez’s efforts to combat the drug menace earned her a national citation… Dagupan police chief Romeo Caramat ordered the arrest of his own cousin for illegal drug trade while a Bolinao barangay kapitan arrested his own son for drug use.
The Urdaneta Landfill has started operation…. Alaminos City and Bani town started work on their respective clean water projects…the San Roque Dam has adopted a more effective protocol in releasing excess water…the clearing of the Caquipotan Channel has began… Metro Dagupan retained PRISAA Regional Collegiate Games…. The Dagupan River Cruise is trending.
Nine towns (Alaminos, Basista, Bautista, Burgos, Labrador, Laoac, Natividad, Sta. Maria, and Sto. Tomas) were cited for good governance by the DILG…Urdaneta has decided to establish a P40 million Agro-Industrial Warehouse…the daily wage in the region has increased from P228 to P248…the dengue epidemic was nipped in the bud before it became worse…the constant flooding in Bonuan was checked with the start of the rehabilitation of the drainage system initiated by Rep. Gina de Venecia…more infrastructure projects were completed in District 3 by Rep. Rachel Arena…Pangasinan inked a sisterhood ties with Guam.
A number of Pangasinenses took the national limelight. 2010 Mutya ng Pilipinas Barbara Salvador of Pozorrubio clinched the 3rd Runner-up title in Miss World International beauty tilt…Col. Alexis Tamondong, deputy brigade commander in Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag was cited one of “Outstanding Philippine soldier” by Metrobank…Santy Banachea won the 12-day pro-am LBC Ronda Pilipinas Tour…Dr. Enrico Vazquez of Dagupan City was elected president of Phil. Karate-do Federation…Ellen Lim and Roby Prado of Colegio de Dagupan were in top 10 of the teachers’ board and nurses’ exams respectively… Rep. Gina de V was elected president of the Association of Lady Legislators of 15th Congress.
Archbishop Socrates “Father Soc” Villegas assumed his role as shepherd of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese…the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag was designated an affiliate of the Basilica of Rome.
In the regional and local scene, Dr. MacArthur Samson was reelected president of the Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities’ regional chapter… Farah Decano was elected IBP Pangasinan chapter president… Cristy Regaspi of Sual crowned Limgas na Pangasinan 2011…the town of Laoac held its 1st Tupig Festival while San Carlos City had its Bamboo-Mango Festival… PUNCH columnist Gonza Duque was elected president of Pangasinan Press Club and chairman of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission.
Of course, we had the bad news with the good. Among the tragedies included the deaths of hundreds from the wrath of typhoons Pedring, Quiel and Falcon…the demise of National Artist Salvador Bernal of Dagupan City, former City Mayor Liberato Ll. Reyna and former Vice Gov. Nancy Sison. The fishkill in Bani and Bolinao took a heavy toll on the bangus industry.
Governance suffered a political black-eye with the continuance of the poll protest of former Gov. Vic Agbayani…the exchange of recall petitions in Bani by the mayor and members of the sanggunian…the distribution of SUVs to members of the provincial board.
What a year it was for Pangasinan. Let’s see what 2012 has in store for Pangasinan.
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