The call of public service

By Gonzalo Duque

 

FRESH from Calgary, Canada, we are back to the usual humid air.

Our very own ciudad Dagupan seems locked with an amusing controversy: where to construct a new city hall.

Hmm… we describe this affair a typical mayor preoccupation, di ba Vice Mayor Brian Lim and Councilor Red Erfe? As if you didn’t know!

The subject reminds us of the time when Mayor Libring Reyna attempted to transfer the city hall to Barangay Tapuac, a few meters from his house. No, construction of the proposed city hall building actually started. Hindi na itinuloy, tanungin nga si Ope.

Same with Mayor Opring Manaois who wanted to move it to Bonuan. And Benjie Lim to MC Adore! Mabuti na lang in the case of Mayor BTF, the proposed venue would not be beside her Lucao residence but in Pantal…ha?? Madami raw siyang property sa may Pantal? O nang kanyang mga kanayon?

We’d rather leave this to the more competent people. Our simple appeal, please handle this affair with the city’s highest interest ha?

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On June 12 at Calgary, Alberta we gave a talk at the Philippine consulate, with Consul General Jimmy Torres around, on Philippine Independence.

We were with fellow Commissioner Anita Quitain in Calgary to oversee how our new SSS office is working.

Canada is probably the best country to have one’s residence, because of its very impressive welfare program, Canada’s beautiful mountains and natural and beauty.

We took a look at the labor issues there, ok naman. The place is heavenly compared with the Middle East.

We compared Canada with Russia where we were three weeks earlier with President Duterte. Parehong super lamig, although Canada is beginning to warm up, kasi parating na ang summer.

Canada has 721,000 Pinoys, with 135,990 in British of Columbia including Vancouver, 113,210 in Alberta, but the majority was in Ontario, 219,000 plus. These figures were confirmed by balikbayan Willie Claveria, hubby of Carmen G. Claveria, who lives in Ontario.

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On our way home to Phl, we learned with dismay Sen. Trillanes’ not-too-funny antics in his BBC interview. He claims that marijuana addiction is worse than Shabu. Talo siya ng isang elementary pupil ng West Central, who considers Shabu as much more deadly.

Sayang ang taong ito, a future president sana, but parang may problema sa pag-iisip.

If he does not change his ways, he might not be taken seriously anymore, which is a serious case.

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Glowing reports have readied us that the Philippine American Medical Association of Georgia had a successful medical mission at the Region 1 Medical Center and at our LNU last June 10 to 15.

Saludo tayo diyan sa ating sister, Dr. Grace D. Dizon, president-elect of PAMAG.

Through the project, there were several indigent Filipinos in Pangasinan who received A-1 or modern medical services and facilities from the visiting 45 PAMAG members.

PAMAG holds this medical mission every other years in various cities and towns in the country.

Sister Grace has inherited erpat’s hilig, medical outreach program. In case you have forgotten, Papang began the much acclaimed “doctor-to-the-barriors program” even before he was appointed DOH secretary. He also implemented the program when he was Pangasinan governor.

Each time we are asked why we can’t turn our back on public service, we remember Papang. Matamlay yon pag hindi nakikihalubilo sa tao, sa masa, the poor. Yes, in step with Jesus Christ’s description of a leader, who should be on the vanguard of public service.         

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