Young questions

PANGASINAN is now third among the 80 Philippine provinces in terms of number of registered voters at 1,651,814. And Pangasinenses could proudly claim that they are among the most conscientious of Filipinos in terms of participation in the electoral process with a 79.55 percent voter turnout in the last election in 2010, higher than the national average of 73.59 percent. While official date from the Commission on Elections is not readily available on how many of those Pangasinan voters are classified as youth, it would be safe to assume that it would be more or less half of the total based on the national percentage of 43 percent. Given their number, the voice of the young is powerful.

That is why it is crucial for that voice to be heard. With the campaign season for both the senatorial an local candidates now in full swing, it is time for our youth to ask questions – and seek answers that can determine the future of their Pangasinan and their Philippines. Those aspiring to be elected must design their campaign sorties such that there will be a venue for a Q & A, a dialogue. Never mind the song-&-dance numbers, cut short the speeches, go easy on the promises. Listen to what the voters, especially the young, have to say and want to know. The internet, particularly the so-popular social media sites, is another key platform for discussions that can help the youth make intelligent choices come May 13. The young must also engage the adult voters – and vice versa – in their families, communities and social networks to talk about the candidates. Let’s make politics fashionable for the sake of making well-informed decisions on who best to vote for.

It is not enough that there is a big number of voters in Pangasinan and the majority of them are actually going out there to cast their ballot. The votes must go to the candidates who will pursue good governance and economic development.

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Smuggling tip

Oil is being smuggled into the country ad we lose P30 billion a year in taxes unpaid.

If true – and there’s not a iota of doubt it isn’t if we go by Mr. Ramon Ang’s statements – then that’s one major reason why the Bureau of Customs has always been experiencing shortfalls in tax collection. Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said he was P4.7 billion short in his targeted tax quota.

Ang, feisty chair of Petron, said that studies from 2007 – 2011 showed that one-third of the total oil volume sold are smuggled oil products. Of the 110 million barrels of oil consumed by the country in 2012, half of that (55M) was imported. Oil smuggling in 2012 accounted for 36-M barrels.

Is PNoy listening?

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