Think about it
Governor Spines’ shining side
By Jun Velasco
BIG man Joe Fabia of the Philippine Information Agency will keynote a timely convention, Global Warming and Climate Change on October l-2 in Dagupan City’s People’s Astrodome.
We don’t want to sound like an alarmist. But while there’s still time, let’s try to be like boy scouts for once. Their motto, “be prepared,” has never been more timely than in these perilous times. The horrific memories of Typhoons Pepeng and Ondoy are still fresh, deadly and frightening.
Over lunch last Thursday, Joe Fabia (no relation to community publisher Joe Favia) gave us certain off-the-cuff pointers — in which PIA is now doing to make the ASEAN public “disaster-resilient” or disaster mitigation.
Why ASEAN? Because, he said, this environment-related disaster phenomenon is global, adding snappily, “dapat pa nga worldwide ang scope natin e.”
There are so many little, common and ordinary things the general public can easily do to avert impending death and grave danger vis-à-vis our unpredictable climate. Fact is, we are not discounting at any minute — even while we were writing this column — a cataclysmic occurrence that could get us fatally unprepared, God forbid!
You have seen or felt it. After a blaze of heat in the atmosphere one moment, a devastating downpour follows, just like that. Many people who can’t adjust to sudden changes in the weather usually get sick. This climate change then is not a joke.
We are glad a little group led by our daughter Kharmina, now Mrs. Tulaue, backed by PIA, DENR, Pangasinan State U, Lyceum Northwestern U, University of Luzon, and a few others has taken a small step to prepare us for any unusual involving Mother Earth.
There are common-sense tips, Joe Fabia said, ordinary folk can start doing now. For example, they identify specific place where they can have shelter in an earthquake, they should not build a house or a subdivision near a flood-prone area, build a canal system when you are land filling a river like that in the De Venecia Diversion; if you are a fishpond owner put up high nets to secure the fish, join drills, info drives of civic clubs, schools, church in protecting the environment.
If you have a little extra cash money, copy the inspiring example of an RTC judge who saved l00 souls using his ski in Ondoy flood-submerged Quezon City.
A modest appeal to our local execs, mayors, councilors, barangay captains – why don’t you do a Judge Lee in your place?
It’s a simple, cheap and yet life-saving contraption! Mabuhay ka, Joe!
* * *
Our friend, Governor Amado T. Espino, alyas Spines, might still be smarting from the “nuclear bomb” his former partner (for Pangasinenses’ well-being) Bishop Oscar Cruz has just exploded on his face.
It’s obvious, from the print and broadcast items we’re getting, former gambling lord Atong Ang – turned jai alai bossman has a direct pipeline to the bishop.
It’s a curiosity piece why our dear bishop is now zealously defending Atong Ang from attacks due to his jueteng connections. Cruz says Atong is in a new ball game, legal gambling, jai alai and bingo 2 balls. Bishop Cruz gave us the impression they, Atong and he, are partners.
We suggest our spiritual leader, the bishop, stay away from gambling, legal or not, for they are worldly and immoral if he should secure his place in God’s kingdom.
As for Governor Spines, he should be consoled by the fact that all the accusations against him are based on pure hearsay. Or they are not-too clever orchestrations of Atong Ang to kick out jueteng once and for all to give way to his Virtual 2 or Bingo 2 balls.
In a way, the drubbing Spines got from Bishop Cruz has its shining side. It shot him to national prominence, what with those glowing one-page ads in the two national dailies showing off his concrete achievements to vastly transform a sleeping giant of a province into a vibrant and progressive one.
People who have seen the province’s miraculous change are in fact awed by Espino’s leadership.
Pangasinan’s big leap into the 2lst century is “a miracle, a Godsend, a blessing from the Lord,” says a balikbayan we met recently. The new Pangasinan Story as authored by Spines has inspired Pangasinenses and other people who now see the difference between before and now.
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