Cong. Mark with Bugallon farmers
COJUANGCO UPDATES
FORMER Pangasinan fifth district Rep. Mark Cojuangco joined farmers in Bugallon town Thursday and told them how he loves Pangasinan, having chosen to live here and use his God-given wisdom, knowledge, experience and skills in the province.
Cojuangco was guest of honor and speaker during the general assembly of the Hacienda-Poblacion-Salincaoet Irrigators Association of Bugallon, Pangasinan and Bugallon Bantay Kalikasan Movement.
He was accompanied in his dialogue with the farmers by Bugallon officials led Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Ric” Orduña who was a three-term mayor. Cojuangco described Orduña as his strong ally in the town, a known turf of his political nemesis.
In his speech, Cojuangco introduced himself to the farmers and irrigators and told them his intent to serve Pangasinan “as I believe I could replicate what I had done in the fifth district where I served for three successive terms”.
He said his qualifications would vouch for his capability to serve the province, adding that he has declared his intent to offer himself as an alternative gubernatorial candidate in the 2016 elections. During his stint as congressman, he served honestly with no single scandal involving money that dragged him. However, his opponents resorted to squid tactics after he made his intent to run for governor known, he said.
Former Pangasinan Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco with Bugallon Vice Mayor Ric Orduna, former Board Member Von Mark Mendoza (standing in orange t-shirt) and Calasiao Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay (in striped t-shirt).
He said the incumbent governor, under the law, is no longer allowed to seek another term, thus he decided to offer himself as someone who could pursue the development and progress of Pangasinan with his vast experience and know-how.
He said in all the three congressional elections in fifth district from 2001-2010, he got no less than 90 percent of the votes cast which to him means “I have improved the lives of the people, I have improved the district, took care of the barangays and the needs of the various sectors so they’re happy with me”.
“I consider that as my success and I could replicate that in other districts in Pangasinan,” he said, adding that he could do so if he and his vice gubernatorial partner, Calasiao Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay, would be clothed with the mandate from the people to serve the two top posts in Pangasinan in 2016.
Cojuangco said when he was congressman, each barangay in his district was given not less than P.5-million worth road project/ infrastructure needs from his P70-million annual budget. He served 212 barangays and in each of his term, he gave them the promised projects. He said the rest of the budget was spent for other needs of other sectors in his jurisdiction.
“Have you received such kind of assistance from the P2.7 billion annual budget of the provincial government?,” he asked the people. There was silence as the crowd wondered.
He said if elected, he would pursue equitable distribution of budget of the province to the six districts of Pangasinan in terms of projects and let the people know where funds are spent.
“I am approachable. You can embrace me, you can dine with me. I am not a porendyer,” he said, making the people laugh.
Cojuangco made the crowd comfortable with him when he said they could already sell their homes “dahil dito na kayo nakatira sa puso ko (because you already live here in my heart)”.
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