Think about it
Will Rep. Rachel Arenas be unopposed in 2010?
By Jun Velasco
WE feared our car’s engine would go dead from the high water on the flooded streets of Barangays Pantal and Bacayao Norte on our way to Mayor Al Fernandez’s Fishpond, where a workshop of disaster preparedness was held last Wednesday.
In response to our query about the sudden-ness of the unusually high water — since the whole week did not experience long rains — the articulate City Administrator Alvin Fernandez attributed the phenomenon to global climate change. His facts were irrefutable, which kept our mouth shut for more questions.
On our way home to Bonuan, we encountered pools of water on A. B. Fernandez and Arellano Street obviously coming from a swollen Pantal River. Could they not have come from the filling operations along the Jose de Venecia Diversion Road? We may agree with Alvin, but these things were not there when the new road was not yet built. Maybe, we should also ask City Engineer Jean Rosario and District Engr. Boy Dion, for more details.
* * * *
At the rate Congresswoman Rachel Arenas is moving heaven and earth (pun intended) in the province’s Third District — it won’t be unusual for any prospective challenger to the throne to just set aside his plan and wait for a more auspicious opportunity when the title holder is not in her peak of political strength.
Go to any town and San Carlos City in her district and found out for yourself several ongoing construction works on millions worth of projects.
With the electoral arena looming in May 20l0, we liken the workaholic lady solon to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao who crushes every foe who comes his way.
We heard Public Works and Highways Director Mariano Alquiza now refers to the daughter of Ms. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas as “the most workaholic congressman in Northern Luzon.”
Rachel is only in her second year in office, but her performance as shown by completed and ongoing projects bespeaks of a century! Are we exaggerating? Nope!
And we may add, the lady doesn’t lack in deepening her rapport with the hoi poloi what with her gift of articulation.
What we know is that the Jimenez-Arenas family has a natural affection for the poor. Remember, Baby, her ma, has carved a name in humanitarian work in Metro Manila since way back.
More than a decade ago, we told an audience after we introduced Rachel who pitched in for mom, that judging from her strong but easy presence, she would some day become a congresswoman. The “some day” came too soon. We have a new fearless forecast. Rachel will be unopposed.
* * * *
That was a great team-up of the Capitol and San Carlos City hall in winning American donors of l5 dialysis machines that were inaugurated last Tuesday at the Provincial Hospital in Barangay Bolingit.
Worth Pl5 million, the machines housed in a new building donated by the city through Mayor Julier Resuello have brought global modern technology to Pangasinan, another feather in the cup of Guv’nor Amado Espino.
The crowd that witnessed the center’s inaugural was a who’s who in Pangasinan including the newly crowned Calasiao Children’s Choir, the best in the world in a Korean competition, Guv’nor Spines’ beauteous First Lady Mely Espino, the Bridge of Life group headed by Ms. Jinny Mello, Vice Gov. Marlyn Agabas and most of the board members, and the SC council headed by Vice Mayor Bogs Resuello.
The following day, July 23, was the 57th birthday of the late Mayor Julian “Jolly” Resuello, father of modern San Carlos City. The city observed it with a mass officiated by our boyhood friend Fr. Bert Arenos, a floral offering at the city plaza, a choral presentation by the Binalatongan Community College students trained by Dr. Guido Tiong.
A skit written by Dr. Guido showed the late Jolly being compared to Dr. Jose Rizal, who were both fatally shot and “ladies’ men” that brought out smiles from brothers’ Ayoy and Bogs.
In her speech, Binalatongan Community College president Dr. Catherine Velasco said that the little 3-year old college, which was Jolly’s dream, will evolve into a giant with every hand supporting it. Although he was not present, Engr. Marcelo Casillan was cited by all the speakers as Jolly’s co-founder of the college. Congratulations!
* * * *
Unless you know Mayor Ferdie Calimlim, you wouldn’t know why and how the town of Mapandan has evolved in so short a time into what it is today — clean and beautiful, ala Marikina of Pangasinan.
Driven by a known family trait of service dating back to his late lolo Maximo, longest serving mayor, and uncle Cesar, also former mayor, and, of course, his inspiration, erpat, the late General Jose “Joe-Cal” Calimlim, Ferdie feels a strong urge to enlarge the area of his newly developed love art, serve the province as vice governor. His inexhaustible energy has practically brought him to all the nook and cranny of the province.
Opponents fear his super-energy and logistical power.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
