Playing with Fire
A “pat” on the back
By Gonzalo Duque
THERE is no doubt the province is making big strides in the cleaning of our river systems, thanks to Gov. Amado Spines Espino and his task force led by Col. Pat Orduna and Task Force Kalikasan top honcho Tom Cabigas.
You would be amazed by Pat’s energy, dedication even as he does his thing under the noon day sun without any complaint.
You should see our rivers now, clean and stripped of silt and odor.
We earlier commended Mayor Lorenzo Cerezo of Binmaley, which is under the successful program of Guv. Spines, for doing it in his town.
In fairness, former Mayor Sammy Rosario, now with Vice President Binay’s think tank, started the river clean-up such as the demolition of the illegal fish pens, well ahead of Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim, who is also getting raves for his river clean up in the city.
Mabuhay kayo!
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At the educators meeting in Vigan recently, we were impressed by new private schools member Ruben Morante’s peroration of the state colleges and universities’ unmitigated assault on areas that are supposed to belong to the private sector.
He slammed the Pangasinan State University’s propensity to usurp private schools’ domain such as when it put up an Alaminos branch which offers courses that the privates are already into. We were about to blurt, “Dr. Estira, please mitigate your greed naman.”
At the rate Dr. Estira is facing mountains of brickbats – wait till the OJTs in Singapore drag him to court—we won’t be surprised if he leaves the scene bedraggled and spent, all because he didn’t know when to stop.
Commission on Higher Education Patricia Licuanan, who was attentive to the end, laid down a policy to allow state universities and colleges to do their thing on areas that do not encroach on territories reserved for private schools.
We commended Chairperson Licuanan’s just, fair, wise and democratic policies. With her at the helm of Philippine education, expect a turn around for the better for the youth of the land.
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We missed Dr. Macky Samson, University of Luzon president, at the meeting. He was excused because he was fine tuning a resolution that seeks to sink into the heads of the Sanggunian Dagupan that they are overacting for overtaxing local business establishments. My gulay, he said, they are basing their tax rates on gross receipts, which is exorbitant and unconstitutional.
Macky is rallying massive support to his advocacy. Let’s help him.
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Happy birthday, Jun Velasco! Our partner since we were still in short pants, Jun asked us last week, if it’s true we were eyeing the leadership of the local press club, which is sharply divided. We said ok if there’s a clamor for it. If not, we just remain for what we are—a columnist for this prestigious paper which is read worldwide.
You see, not all media practitioners can lead. Only those with credibility and the leadership can. If they want to give us new responsibilities, why not?
As for Jun, he says he’d rather be a supporter (of our presidency?); having been there, former PPRC president; president of the federation of provincial press clubs of the Philippines; director of the National Press Club, and now incumbent president of the Manila Bay Breakfast Club. On his birthday last January 27, we wish him all the best.
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