Think about it
‘Desecration’
By Jun Velasco
ROBINSON mall’s ongoing construction in Calasiao, Pangasinan is expected to radically change the economic landscape of this town, casually dubbed as the emerging Makati of Pangasinan. The giant mall will open its doors in December next year, says Vice Mayor Macanlalay.
Timing of Robinson’s arrival fits the leadership performance card chalked up by the Macanlalay family led by Mayor Mark, Vice Mayor Roy, and Barangay Chair Allan now the town’s undisputed kingpins.
For sure, no politician in Calasiao has done so much in infrastructure and development projects than Roy, who was recently elected vice mayors league of the province.
The Calasiao folk love a doer and will go out of their way to fully back their leader for as long as he is able to lead them effectively.
The workaholic Roy knows how to strike a balance between public service and business interests. Not many know that his group has constructed 200 cell sites in the north costing P400 million.
Roy’s secret is well-known, his beautiful and supportive wife, Malou.
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There’s a dark smoke arising from the modernizing city of Alaminos. Attention, Mayor Nani Braganza!
At press time, we received a shocking report from Task Force Kalikasan top honcho Tom Cabigas saying the world famous Hundred Islands is being “illicitly vandalized by the construction of fishpond dikes and other fish structures on the protected areas.”
Says Cabigas: “connecting dikes have enclosed wide portions of the national park’s sea grass protected areas making virtual fishponds and fish traps that are known to be the biggest source of pollution and siltation in marine sanctuaries.”
Cabigas, Pangasinan Task Force Kalikasan deputy director, adds “illegal fish structures have been covertly constructed along the southern sea lane of the Hundred Islands to avoid detection by visitors and tourists who are mostly ferried to the major islets commonly used by bathers, but the illegal fish structures gleamed like eyesores when captured by aerial surveillance camera.”
He has sent pictures to show encroachments on fish sanctuaries, which are supposed to be off limits to fish production as sought by the city government through ordinances and regulations. “Depleted corals which would take hundreds of years to replenish are being used as illegal structures.” Cabigas deplores.
His report quoted studies initiated by Congressman Boying Celeste to show that “the primary components of Western Pangasinan’s eco-tourism program includes minimizing the adverse effects of traditional tourism on natural environment and new approaches that benefit local populace economically and culturally in protecting the natural resources which create the attraction.”
For the past decades human activities like illegal fishing have jeopardized the variability of all living organisms—including animal and rare plant species – at the Hundred Islands National Park, undoubtedly Pangasinan’s most viable nominee for World Heritage site.
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Under the inspiring leadership of the Llamas-Martinez family particularly Engr. Ric (mechanical board topnotcher) and Mina L. Urmaza of San Miguel Brewery fame, the 3rd Felix Martinez Clan Grand Reunion at the Capitol Café, Mang Peping Kainan and Star Plaza was a whooping success.
Balikbayans Celerina (beloved auntie) Martinez Dacumos, US and Canada-based cousins Deo, Vicky (Canlas) and Elisa Manuel, Art and Susie de Asis, daughter Aimee and husband Adam Kosinski, Maynard and Maripi (Llamas) Dioquino were ready to host the 4th grand reunion in the US, but the Velasco family drew the “lucky number” as next host.
The big clan which has its origin from loveydovey grand couple Laki Felix and Bai Mari Pilar loves to recall their enchanting love story starting from their identical birthdays on October 12, 1901.
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