THE long coastline of Pangasinan is the envy of many provinces because it provides a natural environment that augurs well for the development and promotion of a province as a major tourism destination. Others need to be more creative to attract both investors and visitors to their provinces.

But having beaches with fine sands alone are not what make for a tourist attraction.  Communities that care for them is one.  A white sandy beach littered with trash is what everyone hates to see.  Investing in establishments that will provide clean, safe and quality basic facilities is necessary. And the beach must be accident-prone free!

Speaking of safety, the rash of reports of recent drowning in the beaches of Binmaley, Lingayen and San Fabian is already a cause for alarm for the provincial and town governments. An incident of drowning from one community is enough to push the potential visitors to other destinations, anywhere but a beach in Pangasinan.

The number of drowning victims on a weekly basis should alert the provincial government and its agencies concerned with tourism, environment and safety to take action in partnership with coastal communities.

Dagupan City used to suffer from that image – “its beach is treacherous and people drown there.” That has changed since when then Mayor Belen Fernandez recruited trained lifesavers, installed buoys to mark safe swimming area, imposed restrictions on swimming and organized free swimming lessons for children.

There are more lessons out there to learn from… but these must be learned today, not tomorrow.

Disastrous detour

WHY they had to do it remains a puzzle to so many up to now.  We refer to the April 17 presser staged by presidential bets Ping Lacson, Isko Moreno and Bert Gonzales.  Their original agenda, they said, was to call for unity and solidarity in the conduct of an honest and a safe election on May 9.  They were doing fine until Isko suddenly swerved to a disastrous detour by calling on incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo to withdraw from the presidential race.  Bert would soon follow suit.  But not Ping, who stood his sane and honorable ground by saying he was not buying Isko’s line.  VP bet Tito Sotto seconded Ping’s position—another wise and credible move.  Presidential hopeful Manny Pacquiao, who missed the event due to a schedule glitz, said “divine intervention” saved him from the ill-fated occasion happening on Easter Sunday.

For Bert’s and Isko’s indiscretion, Leni stood tall all the more.

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