Think about it
‘No longer a sleeping giant’
By Jun Velasco
“Is there a love nobler than love of country? Certainly none.”—Andres Bonifacio
THAT was an early Christmas gift for the country, owing to its dramatic jump with the second highest economic growth rate (7.1 percent) in Asia, next to the People’s Republic of China’s 7.4 percent.
It’s a sobering news at the advent of an exciting –not really intense — political season which lately dashed our mood for the questionable listing of Pangasinan among the “high-risk provinces.”
Our economy’s high ratings should be likened to an athlete’s sprint in the finish line amid a global economic downtrend. Compare the scoreboard to Indonesia’s 6.3 percent; Malaysia 5.2 percent; Vietnam 4.7 percent; Thailand 3.0 percent, and Singapore 0.3 percent.
This economic performance should be attributed to the popularity of President Aquino buoyed by his “Daan Matuwid” policy, and the Filipinos’ resiliency.
It should signal the stoppage of doom scenarios and the unveiling of optimism and hope for our countrymen.
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On the other hand that so-called “high-risk” tag by the Department of Interior and Local Government in Pangasinan, along with other 14 provinces, is suspicious, as it derails the province’s drive to uninterrupted development.
The label, we are told, is based on “intense political rivalry.”
Objective observers don’t see it that way.
In all our years as a public observer, it’s only now that we came across a nasty report about this premier province, described by former Senator Leticia Shahani, as a “no longer a sleeping giant” due to the Espino’s leadership.
Maybe the COMELEC should confirm or lift that ugly tag, ASAP.
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Ed Maramba, head of the Fishpond Owners Operators Association of Dagupan, is deeply dismayed by the increasing number of illegal fishers – “car car” and the resurging comeback of fish pens – amid a noisy campaign to dredge the river systems and promote marine life hereabouts.
Maramba, who took over Alfredo Dawana, who is in the U.S., smells the illegal fishers’ comeback has the makings of a stab on the back of FOOFADCI and the fishing industry itself.
He now connects the unfriendly attitude of City Agriculturist Emma Molina to FOOFADCI which he says is ironic, for why kill an ally?
Is this why our robust marine resources system can’t even supply our own local needs? So who is killing the industry?
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Congratulate the Inner Wheel Club District 779 headed by Precy Nava and the host Dagupan chapter headed by Michelle Lioang for successfully staging the Ako ay Pilipino contest at the Antonio Bakery last week.
The winners were Jiellen C. de Guzman, Ricky Kristan Riguindin and Romsto Pajarillo, first, second and third placers respectively.
Civic clubs like the Inner Wheel serve their mandate if they have more of projects that promote love of country, rather than indulge in elitist socials that widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
You get moist eyes when you hear and see youngsters imploring their countrymen to love and serve their country. They are descendants of nationalists of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio whose death anniversary we observed last Friday.
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This should not pass un-noticed.
At the Philippine College for the Advancement of Medicine’s 7- day conference/ seminar at Club Filipino last week, it was PCAM president, Dr. Robin Navarro’s “Cholesterol is Good” and “Stem Cell” lectures that got the doctors and wellness experts nodding in agreement.
Medical authorities including Health Sec. Enrique Ona, former Sec. Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan and other notables who make a who-is-who in the medical community gave vital lectures that enhance wellness.
Goes to show, as Dylan Thomas, puts it, “the times they are a changin.”
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NOTES: Rep. Manay Gina de Venecia and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez were a portrait of confidence when we met them at the De Venecia residence last Friday. They both looked winners even months before election day. Gypsy, Gina’s assistant, says his boss is virtually unopposed while Belen was just shown a poll survey conducted by a Vigan City-based group showing her ahead of her rival by 9 percent…. Congrats to new teachers Kathleen Licuanan, Etheldan Zamora, Lilia Cabuang who passed the recent board/LET exam. They are among the pioneer graduates of Binalatongan Community College in San Carlos City…..Tony Lozano says his Sunday is not complete without having a Punch copy he dubs as “the best community paper in the country.”
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