Work on discipline

THE meeting recently convened by Gov. Amado Espino III to assess community development plans was timely and definitely forward-looking.

Between the COVID-19 crisis and the plan of the national government to defeat terrorism, a local government that will remain merely reactionary is tantamount to having a governance of  “bahala na” with no purpose or vision.

The  provincial government’s planning meeting should be replicated in all towns and cities in Pangasinan. An assessment of resources, feasibility of launched projects in the face of the new normal is, therefore, imperative.

But as overall strategies are reviewed and calibrated, we hope our local leaders will also assess abilities and capabilities of their governments in executing and implementing rules, beginnning from the implementation of the guidelines to defeat COVID-19 in the next months and beyond.

Pangasinan has so far fared much better than other populated provinces. From this we can discern that our LGUs did many right things and these should be sustained.

What we fear most is tendency of people to forget and take things for granted easily. We, therefore, suggest that efforts be made by the provincial government to help sustain the gains with constant drill on discipline to keep people doing the right things.

It is discipline that led to many success in governance of many nations. We wish the Espino administration much luck.

 

Duque doing well

FIRST, several senators wanted Francisco T. Duque III out as Secretary of Health.  They accused the beloved son of Pangasinan as being “incompetent.”  They failed as President Duterte sustained Duque. Without mincing words, Mr. Duterte expressed his trust and confidence in Duque’s leadership. Then came another assault against  Duque. Ombudsman Martirez said Duque and some of his staff repeatedly evaded inquiries on operations at the Health department.  With dogged determination, Martirez did not only put up one but two committees to poke  into Duque’s turf.  But as usual, Duque is keeping his cool.  Even amid allegations of overpricing in the purchase of Covid-19 equipment by the Department of Health, Duque is not saying a word.  To resign isn’t an option as it might imply guilt?  Mere hints of wrongdoing are nothing but hearsay.  In the end, only the President’s word will absolve Duque.

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