Think about it
Agoo rises, ala ‘American community’
By Jun Velasco
“Freedom ends when it begins to deprive another of his freedom,” E.C. McKenzie
EXCEPT for the unsettled mayoral row in Basista town, the elections in the province were peaceful, honest and clean.
So, why prolong the Basista disqualification case?
If it’s true that re-elected Mayor Manolito de Leon was a holder of American passport when he filed his certificate of candidacy, he should be disqualified by the Comelec and proclaim Vice Mayor Joy Perez, who ranked second in the mayoral race with only 67 votes behind.
It’s as simple as that.
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We were privileged to know the secret of a small, dainty town’s phenomenal growth in La Union, it’s guided planning and local officials’ political will.
Yes, dear readers, you will not miss this great story, the scent of success of the municipality of Agoo even if you just leisurely pass by. Agoo is an hour drive from the Dagupan poblacion.
Thanks to our friend of two decades— Chicago habitué and long time balikbayan, Rene Zandueta.
Rene, who still refuses to be in the senior citizens list, gave us a glimpse of Agoo’s metamorphosis in a café run by Boy de Leon in that scintillating town.
Give it to young couple, Franny and Sandra Eriguel, who are both gifted with a steely resolve to craft the small town’s growth according to the American dream.
“The couple (Congressman Franny and Mayor Sandra) look down on “chopseuy” developmental growth,” says cousin Rene.
“The magic word is steely resolve, political will,” adds Rene.
“The upward and integrated growth is inspired by the couple’s infatuation with things American.
Franny and Sandra, still in their 50’s, practised medicine in Chicago before deciding to come home.
“Our companions—writer-editor par excellence Cesar Carpio and accomplished architect Hermenigildo Estrada—were equally impressed, hopeful other local officials will pick up an idea or two for their own LGUs.
Conversations glided to Mayor elect Belen Fernandez who they said, has “what it takes to undertake tough and hard decisions” for Dagupan. Our Dagupan, they say, is swamped with topsy-turvy growth highlighted by the ongoing elevation of A.B. Fernandez, which violated the orig Dagupan plan, if any.
“There should’ve been a better way of controlling Dagupan’s flooding,” says architect Gil. We had hinted this to District Engineer Boy Dion, who must now be anxiously hoping the coming rainy days won’t have horrific floods.
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Dangerous Drugs Board Chair/Sec. Bebot Villar’s Independence Day speech that centered on a drug-free community was most appropriate — a call for freedom from fear and the right to live in peace and happiness, which is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Villar’s renewed dig on Barangay Bonuan Binloc for being a notorious drugs haven should now alert without delay the local police headed by Supt. Chris Abrahano and other authorities to clamp down on it, pronto.
All speechifying on good governance is a waste if the constituency can’t live without fear.
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The husband (Randy Tamayo) and family of a 35-year old teacher-mother Genoveva Gines-Tamayo, who died two weeks after delivering her first baby boy (Gabriel Khan) in a local hospital can’t accept her fate peaceably claiming there was medical neglect somewhere.
We cannot commiserate more.
Human life is so precious that only God has the right to take away. Any evidence of wrongdoing therefore has a price to be paid by the one of those responsible.
We, who were close to Gemma, are praying for the eternal repose of her soul. And for those she has left behind, justice for her untimely demise.
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We felicitate Professional Regulations Commission Architecture Board Member Fidel Jose R. Siapno, dean of Aquinas University College of Architecture in Legaspi City.
A UST alumnus and classmate of Gil Estrada and Chavit Singson, yes, the governor, Fidel is the son of a relative—Pedro Siapno of Barangay Malued and Pantal; brod- in- law of our cumpadre former Dagupan police officer Jorge Cusi, hubby of Fidel’s Sister Nelda, formerly of PLDT.
A top-rate professional.
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