Playing with Fire
Federate civic clubs
By Gonzalo Duque
AS we pack up for a long delayed U.S. trip, Dagupan City Hall insiders sent us damaging documents (Again!) that a brass and plate maker ElJohn was trying to collect payment for hundreds of business plates he delivered at the One Stop Shop worth half a million pesos.
Hmmm… ano na namang corruption ito? Wala nang hinto a?
The supposed purchase order was made by a certain Jay Estrada who, we are told is a city hall employee.
Problem is there was no public bidding at all. We understand Estrada is the son of former City Secretary Jorge Estrada, who before Mayor Benjie Lim’s massive stroke, was a consultant to his administration. Jorge or George Estrada was editor of Bangus Bulletin, a city hall mouthpiece during Lim.
Ano ba naman ito, Manny? Anon a naman kaya ang susunod na pinag ka wakwartahan sa kawawang kaban ng Dagupan?
God help us!
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Federate the mushrooming civic clubs in Dagupan? Great idea, this move to form a council or federation of civic clubs. If possible, sa buong Pangasinan sana.
Balita natin, may nagmungkahi kay Sec. Sonny Coloma during a Rotary affair here na dapat may nagko-coordinate ang mga vital centers of human resource volunteerism na ito, if possible, nationwide.
We have seen the breadth and range of civic volunteerism here during local elections and in our Kabaleyan Channel show. We saw and felt that many people care for others, their community, bless their souls.
Rotarians, Lions, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Medical society, PTA, boy and girl scouts, name it. Karakel ng mga grupong nagmamahal. We should tap them for many endeavors that would advance good governance.
This is the best time. We have a model public servant in our mayor. Let’s grab the opportunity.
Sayang ang oras in misguided or unbeneficial action projects.
If there is a clear and defined joint venture between the government and the clubs acting in concert, much more can be done. And wasteful and ostentatious frivolities will be avoided.
One pressing area for concerted, collective action is DRUGS! Talamak na, and the reason we have a poor grade in fighting the drug menace is “watak, watak” ang activities. Walang focus.Walang sinceridad. Ineffective, Mas lumalakas ang kalaban. The community is in peril.
Alisin at ibasura ang walang katuturanna aktibidades.
Who will determine the value, importance, relevance and immediacy of the projects?
Dito papasok ang council o federation which will do the prioritizing of projects or their delisting, in collaboration with the local government.
Maganda diba? Walang sayang, panay tugma sa pangangailan ng community.
Apropos to this, we ask our beloved Mayor to create a special body, say, a new department—in consultation with the Sanggunian—whose task it is to synchronize resources and activities for defined goals.
* * * *
Heard of the proposed Metro Dagupan Development Authority?
It will be patterned after the Metro Manila Development Authority.
Why so? Marami ang programa at proyekto ng mga LGU na magkalapit na pareho, so it was deemed appropriate to better synchronize for economy and effectiveness.
We thank Rep. Gina de Venecia who has started a district-wide waste management system. That’s a step in the right direction. What we have in mind though is an all-inclusive set-up that will cover almost areas.
Flood control can’t be done singly by one LGU in isolation from the rest.
Our late brod, Dr. Ado has begun a Metro Dagupan study. We’ll look for the documents. It’s timely to debate and discuss this, now that we have a most transparent local leadership.
Mabuhay kayo!
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