Think about it
Pangasinense Rotarians in Cubao
By Jun Velasco
PANGASINENSES should applaud two Pangasinenses Cabinet secretaries on the forefront of cutting costs of essential medicines, namely Health Sec. Pingkoy Duque and Trade Sec. Peter Favila.
In case you don’t know, a lot of deaths in this country would have been prevented if the cost of medicine were accessible to the poor. The Duque-Favila saga of lowered medicine costs involves a lot of balls against billionaire multinational pharmaceuticals who can bully their way around in any country.
Because of their expert advice, the President has picked up the fight against arrogant multinationals who deprive the Filipino poor of their right to health and wellness.
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On our first day as president of the Rotary Club of Metro Cubao, the “salty” air of Pangasinan wafted in the air of Max Resto at Ali Mall.
Guest speaker, who was not a guest strictly, was Land Transportation Office Chief Art Lomibao, our best bet for District 3780 governor, prize member who chaired the most successful Discon in 2006.
Our inspirational speaker, PNP Director for Northern Luzon, the “shiny” General Pol Bataoil, always literally inspires.
Art’s introducer, pilot, ace businesman and fluent Pangalatok-speaking past president Romy Cacas has 50 percent San Fabian blood, the other 50 percent from his uncle legendary solon Manuel Cases’ Agoo, La Union. Night chairman, PP Lamberto Magali, assistant district governor, is a San Carlos City native. How come, we’re in Metro Manila’s Rotary rather than on native soil?
A brief background: “We were once director of the Rotary Club of Dagupan when Atty. Rod Coquia was president, and of the Rotary Club of Downtown headed once by brod Norman.
Mind you, former District 3790 Governor Mojamito Libunao’s pretty wife, Rotary Club of San Fabian president Irene Libunao opines, “it’s easier to head a Rotary club in Manila than one in the province.” Bakit kaya? By the way, congratulate her for bagging most of the prizes in her last district convention.
We can’t help touching on Rotary because contrary to its unfair elitist tag, the movement has humanized Capitalism, professionalized careers, and unceasingly kindled man’s brotherly outreach to better our communities. You won’t know this nobility unless you fellowship with them.
Back to Metro Cubao’s “reunion,” Art Lomibao was easily everyone’s fair- haired man, pledging to campaign for him if he decides to run … for congressman, and to Pol Bataoil who, they say, is also gunning for congressman in the 2nd district.
Those who say that Pangasinan politics is being militarized has a new one coming, it is being Rotarized. Why, that would be good for everyone.
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Instead of discouraging minors from going to internet shops, the Dagupan City government should in fact encourage them. The internet is sine qua non to global progress, and to put a cap on the young’s right to reach out to the limitless arena of knowledge is unconstitutional and a violation of human rights.
What should be done is to clamp down on “colorum” internet and computer shops allowing morally objectionable shows the likes of Katrina Halili and Hayden Kho stuff. City Hall should strictly close down illegal shops which have proliferated everywhere but allow the legit, who are just too willing to be supervised because an immoral business is bound to face public repudiation.
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An affected businessman, Domingo B. Ayudante Jr., of Netburner Internet Cafe, has questioned city councilors who have crafted an ordinance banning minors from entering computer shops during schools hours.
Here are eye-opening points raised by Minguit Ayudante:
The internet industry, which is giving the city additional income, will be severely hurt. The practice of students who cut classes for the internet is the fault of the school and parents, not the internet shops. We think that point is all too very clear for everyone to miss. It’s more a matter of securing or strengthening the young’s value system rather than slamming their inquisitive minds to explore the internet which, properly used, will catapult them to phenomenal success.
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