Think about it
Heaven smiled at Kalutan
By Jun Velasco
“Example is the best precept,” Aesop
PANGASINENSES are happy at the appointment of Kabayan Philippine Navy’s chief Rear Admiral Jesus Millan, who has replaced Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano.
At the turn-over rites in Cavite last Tuesday, President Aquino praised Alano for doing a good job.
But our comprovinciano Jess Millan of Sual and Alcala towns is expected to do a better job.
In his assumption speech, Millan spoke of transforming the Navy into a modern Navy, good governance, reforms, aligning strategies with the military and defense, transparency, accountability and judicious use of resources.
Millan’s ascent in the Philippine Navy is being watched with bated breath, what with our ongoing dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.
Based on our brief talk, we found Millan well prepared for his new job.
Good Luck.
* * * *
There was a modest downpour an hour or so before the start of the much awaited Bangus Kalutan. Many were nervous the elaborate preparations would be washed out.
But thank God, we had the finest weather that enabled thousands of visitors and proud Dagupenos to frolic and participate in the bangus grilling galore along the 4-kilometer De Venecia Diversion Highway.
We settled at the Fishpond Owners Operators Fisherfolk’s group beside George Galvan’s, Arkadia’s and Aguinaldo’s booths, some 3 kilometers away from the center (Lucao) where the stellar personages camped — Rep. Gina de Venecia, Mayor Belen Fernandez and the movie stars.
The consensus was that Wednesday’s Kalutan was the best attended although others thought last year’s or that in 2009 were more super. It’s difficult to make comparisons, but the resounding success was a clear evidence of Mayor Fernandez’s leadership.
What matters now is to track what the city will do next. We are told the fishing industry reforms topped by the removal of the fishpens, dredging the river system, maximizing or modernizing methods of production, and marketing are ongoing.
We suggest the city zero in on a frightening report that our beloved Dagupan is nervously lying in the direct path of a tsunami or storm surge, as to exactly when nobody can say for sure. This is an “inconvenient truth” (to borrow the title of former Vice President Al Gore’s Nobel Prize-winning book on global warming) which the city government and fellow Dagupenos and Pangasinenses, because the coastal towns of San Fabian, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, Alaminos and Bolinao are similarly situated.
Thank Mayor Belen, because she has it all figured out and firmed up a no-nonsense team headed by Prof. Nick Melecio, former Police Office Lito Ocampo and Phivolc’s executive Engr. Al Lanuza that’s waylaying on Mother Earth’s angst on a 24-hour basis.
* * * *
You’d think Mayor Carlito Zaplan is a relax, easy-going chief executive.
In the last elections, he licked his predecessor, former Mayor Reynaldo Velasco. Last week, he surprised all LGUs and other public officials led by Gov. Spines and Rep. Rosemarie Arenas when his pet project, a modern presidencia was inaugurated.
A man of few words, Lito lets his actions do more.
Congratulations!
* * * *
Our country’s preparedness—or lack of it — was on top of President Obama’s visit here, but published details were submerged by what we call “hospitality journalism” to downplay the visit’s military component. Which was just as well because any hint at a provocation for war would be irresponsible.
Critics who find the U.S. number one imperialist in the world were demanding “specifics” on what it will do in case of attack by, let’s say, China.
The military undertone could only be fueled by incendiary language between our puny country and giant China on the disputed waters in the Philippine Sea.
Our country has been thrust in an unenviable, dangerous situation as a magnet to a shooting war between two super powers. Let’s hope and pray cooler, more experienced and broadminded leaders help in every way to avert annihilation.
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