Balikbayans, OFWs fuel Villasis’ new look

By Eva C. Visperas

This agricultural town is the envy of many local government officials in this province as several of its infrastructure projects that gave new look to the town were funded by balikbayans and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from this municipality.

Mayor Nonato Abrenica told this corner in a phone interview that the latest project he is implementing with funds coming from his kababayans (townmates) now either working or residing abroad mostly in the East Coast and West Coast and in Europe, is the renovation of the town hall.

Abrenica said that proceeds of their fiesta celebration last January, raised from the Search for Miss Villasis popularity contest participated in by his townmates abroad, amounting to P6 million is being used for the project. This is augmented by the funds from their previous popularity contest that netted about P2.5 million.

Abrenica added that part of their Internal Revenue Allotment is also allocated to complete the project. The project started this month and is expected to be completed in time for the town’s bicentennial celebration when it turns 200 years old in January 2007.

Earlier, the OFWs have helped tremendously in the construction of a beautifully landscaped, sprawling town park that could easily match those in the metropolis.

The town hall’s frontage was also given a make over by the balikbayans. The local government was also able to purchase heavy equipment with the OFWs’ financial help.

These are used in several road projects and these remain in good condition because these are properly maintained, Abrenica said. The streets along the highway from barangay Puelay going to neighboring Rosales town in the south up to San Nicolas going to Urdaneta City in the north are also well illuminated because of the street lighting project also courtesy of the OFWs.

The police was the recipient of a patrol car given from the same group.

“Napaka-swerte ko kasi ang laki ng tulong nila sa aming bayan. Marami ngang naiinggit sa amin at tinatanong ang aming sekreto, (I am very lucky because of their great help to our town.  Many envy us and ask our secret),” Abrenica said. He said he visits them abroad and shows them how their financial help is being spent in the spirit of full transparency.

Meanwhile, the mayor and his staff are holding office at the gymnasium temporarily while the town hall renovation is ongoing.

     Perhaps other local officials could learn much from Villasis on how to speed up progress in their town despite their meager resources.

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