A NOT SO GOOD SUGGESTION. Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dagupan City will soon conduct a public hearing on the proposal to ban the holding of funeral processions on certain parts of the day in the central business district of Dagupan City.

The move, we understand, is in anticipation of the impending opening of the City Mall in Mayombo and later by the SM City Dagupan, which are expected to result in gridlocks and bottlenecks in the city.

The SP will solicit the suggestions from the public, specially the motorists, on what else could be done anticipating the impact of the operations of the two big malls that will likely spawn heavier flow of traffic in the already congested city, forcing traffic at a standstill for hours.

The proposal we heard from one councilor is that funeral procession will be permitted only at 5:00 a.m. at which time pupils and students are still not rushing to their schools and employees to their respective offices.

There will be no more walking mourners, only a cortege of vehicles will be allowed.

This may be a good idea but why make the relatives of the dead suffer more inconvenience by waking up early after a night’s vigil to bring the departed to the church for the last rite and interment?

This is what I think may stymie the council’s proposal.    This is not only against accepted traditions but will force bereaved families to forego with the custom of holding a last night vigil for the dead before interment.

Who else would have the energy to join the funeral at dawn the next day after a late night for the vigil?

This proposal may offend the sensibilities of many people, especially our elders, who are used to spending time with bereaved families on the last night.

Is this the only alternative they can think of to minimize traffic chaos in Dagupan?

One alternative the council should consider is the permanent re-routing of some of out-of-town passenger jeepneys to Jose De Venecia Expressway Extension.

Another is to build another ancillary road network that will connect  JDV Expressway Extension to Barangay Mamalingling and Tambac, Perez Boulevard to Barangay Tebeng and ultimately Dagupan downtown area to Calmay across river where a bridge would be needed.

Another suggestion is for the city council to talk to their counterpart in adjacent Calasiao to jointly persuade the Department of Public Works and Highways to install a traffic light at the intersection in San Miguel, Calasiao from Caranglaan, Dagupan City where congestion is experienced till early evening.

The traffic gridlock in this section extends up to Mayombo in Dagupan City.

Let’s have a holistic approach, not work on piece meal solutions to the daily traffic bottleneck not only in Dagupan but in Central Pangasinan. We must think beyond regulating funeral processions because if we do, the city might as well ban civic parades, motorcades, Bangus festival street dancing, etc. (Leonardo Micua)

 

WOW AS IN WOW. There is something in Mangatarem that made me say “Wow!” during my visit on Jan. 24.

I was going to interview Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos who was guest at the town’s civic parade. The invitation was extended by a media colleague who has connection with the Marcoses.

We were told to proceed to the house of Mayor Ramil Ventenilla, popularly known as Mayor Balong, for the interview.  Honestly, I had not met Mayor Balong and I never got the chance to interview him.

With three media colleagues as my passengers, we asked for direction to the mayor’s residence as soon as we reached Poblacion.

On entering the mayor’s sprawling compound, I sensed the ambience of a typical rural setting. It was dotted with mango trees, an old house still standing, area was wide open, no fence in sight. It has an aviary with eagles but I missed seeing chickens roaming around.

When we finally arrived at our rendezvous, I saw something that caught my eye. The ladies preparing the table for the VIP guest and her entourage were all wearing white t-shirt printed with the names of Mark Cojuangco and Mark Macanlalay.

I thought I was traveling in a time machine when I saw the women in Cojuangco-Macanlalay t-shirts.

One, no one would dare wear that shirt nowadays, especially when some ranking officials are expected. Baka may magalit. Others present included Police Senior Supt. Ronald Lee, other men in uniform, and local town officials.

Two, the host might get a dressing down from someone. Ayaw nya ng ganyan, baka mag alboroto gaya ng Mayon Volcano in Albay, not in Naga.

Three, election is over. Move on na mga ateng!

Fourth. Wow, I salute you guys because you enjoy the freedom to do what you want to do. Walang personalan, suot damit lang. Madalang na ngayon ang ganyan. Hindi kinabog! — Eva Visperas

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