FVR slams Asingan Mayor
ASINGAN—Former President Fidel V. Ramos urged local officials of Asingan, his hometown, to arrest the steady and marked deterioration of the Asingan Tourism and Recreation Center (ATRC) which he put up during his presidency.
In an open letter to Asingan Mayor Carlos Lopez, Ramos threatened to file criminal charges if nothing is done to fix the place.
“I am constrained to put on record the current state of affairs regarding the ATRC. As a resident and continuing taxpayer of Asingan, and beyond that as a concerned Filipino citizen and elder, I may be forced to initiate criminal charges against you, and others equally liable and accountable,” Ramos said.
Ramos also reminded Lopez that the purpose and vision for the ATRC was to create a wholesome community center with sports, reading, recreation and tourism facilities for the townsfolk, their families and friends, and out-of-town visitors, particularly balikbayans.
“It was to be a centerpiece project and long-term asset for our beloved hometown,” he said,
“Unfortunately, I am dismayed, and extremely disappointed, to learn that the Center’s pavilion – which used to house a reading center for interested residents, particularly our students, and repository of FVR memorabilia has been degraded into a karaoke/resto-bar and obvious transaction point for alleged unsavory activities involving “women for hire”, leading to its becoming a front for prostitution,” Ramos said.
Ramos also pointed out that the current state of the ATRC is exposing the youth to alcoholism and women-trafficking with the proximity of the National High School named after his beloved mother, Angela Valdez-Ramos.
Ramos pointed out the signing ceremony last 22 November 2005 at the Casino Español for the release of P6 million, in equal shares emanating from both Secretary Joseph Durano of the Department of Tourism-Philippine Tourism Authority and from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Congressman Conrad Estrella III of the 6th District of Pangasinan, for the ATRC’s initial rehabilitation after it had become non-operational during the term of Lopez as mayor from 1998 to 2001.—LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
