Gov. Guico’s outbursts

By October 22, 2023Editorial, Punch Gallery

OVER the past 13 months, there were only two instances that indicated Governor Ramon Guico III was on top of problematic issues besetting specific sectors in Pangasinan.

No, it was not about food sustainability. Not about level of agricultural production. Not about plight of farmers. Certainly not about the impact of prices of goods and services on family households in the province or preventive health care.

While he spoke lengthily about his vision about infrastructure development of Pangasinan when he delivered his first State of the Province report, i.e., construction of the Pangasinan Link Expressway, Polytechnique College, airports and more hospitals. He left his vision about economic, health and social welfare of his constituents to the implementation of the budget allocations prepared by the various departments but no flagship programs.

Finally, last July, Pangasinan heard the governor speak directly to his constituents through the media when he exposed what he considered the flagrant land grabbing of areas along the developed areas of the baywalk starting from Lingayen. He said he would see to the prosecution of listed owners of the facilities built without proof of legitimate ownership.

Then recently, Pangasinenses heard again from Gov. Ramon Guico III. This time he criticized and aired his objection over the continued construction of the seawall project along the beachfronts in Lingayen-Binmaley sparked by a letter complaint and subsequent public rallies. While he did not mention that the project was being pursued by his ally, Second District Rep. Mark Cojuangco but it was obvious that he was the target of the controversy, hence the congressman came out to clarify his involvement in it. His explanations belied the claims of the governor.

Now comes the question of his constituents. Anyare na?

Nothing has been heard since from the governor about his pledge to prosecute owners of illegal establishments along the baywalk. Neither was he heard to clarify his position after Mr. Cojuangco belied his claims about the seawall project.

For reasons only known to him and members of the provincial board, these two issues were apparently already dropped like a hot potato.  Are the governor’s thoughts on the two issues considered merely as outbursts that should not be taken seriously by his constituents?

Will his future seeming off-the-cuff concerns be regarded as merely outbursts and not policies of his administration?

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments