Think About It
Proposed agenda for Gina and Benjie
By Jun Velasco
WHEN the political smoke will have completely cleared and given way to sanity, sobriety and brilliancy, it might be well for our leaders the likes of Congresswoman-elect Gina de Venecia and Mayor-elect Benjie Lim to strike some common grounds for cooperation.
They can, we suggest, meet on a simple but challenging idea that in the view of many could turn in a new leaf for the district — a proposal to create a Metro Dagupan.
A proposal has been aired about the possible “merger” of Dagupan and the municipality of San Fabian. Why the duo? Because they have similar terrain, robust coastline, rich tourism potentials, and dynamic people.
Over a casual meeting recently, a group of people from both places was animated by the idea, which was brought to the table by Mayor-elect Benjie Lim himself.
The idea –a Dagupan-San Fabian merger — would require sober and intelligent dialogue, leadership, and willingness to enlarge horizons. You see, what could strike one as outlandish and fantastic in the beginning could take a brilliant turn that’s practical, logical and tremendously beneficial when tackled with open minds.
The city, it was pointed out, needs a greater real estate breather. Don’t weep if many parcels of new land have jutted out from the old river system north side of the De Venecia Diversion Road. Those averse to the city’s flooding problems — what with the frightening memory of Typhoon Pepeng — are howling and hurting inside for the nonstop landfilling activities of many fishponds in the area. They say the landfilling could bring about another Pepeng (God forbid!).
Most Dagupenos are, in fact, scandalized by the chronic failure of the city government to solve its garbage problem. It’s already unthinkable that its compost pit is right beside its alluring Bonuan beach! Up to now, the past Lim administration was on the spot for its failed San Jacinto Awai waste management project.
It’s well-known that Dagupan is a “sinking city,” and, ask water czar Ramon Reyna, is fast losing its potable water source.
If the proposed Dagupan-San Fabian “district” is realized, will it not make San Fabian a mere problem solver of Daguan’s congestion woes?
Not so, we think.
A possible plus for the proposed Dagupan-San Fabian district would be the town’s dramatic economic surge and fast tracked access to modern amenities. “Then opportunities for San Fabian’s rich marine and tourism wealth would be fantastic,” Tony Uy observes.
Why single out the two? Do not forget that in the past, there were proposals to create a Metro Dagupan patterned after the successful Metro Manila Development Authority.
Mayor-elect Lim says “let’s have a simple project muna.” What do you think, “Dagufabian” folks? Or San Fabdagup? people, as our friend Ms. Lolita Balolong suggests?
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