COURTING PANGASINAN VOTE. Senator Grace Poe, whose presidential ambition at this stage now hangs by the thread because of the impending decision of the Supreme Court regarding her disqualification handed down twice by the Commission on Elections en banc, was among those who came to Pangasinan and wooed its voters to her favor.

Poe believes that Pangasinan, being the hometown of her late adoptive father Fernando Poe Jr., will not turn its back on her. But will she succeed if she gets the nod from the Supreme Court?

Recall that when former Defense Secretary and General Fidel Ramos ran for president, all sons and daughters of Pangasinan who wanted to see the first Philippine president from Pangasinan in Malacanang rallied behind him.

“Natan la Pangasinan” was a cause every Pangasinense supported. Many believed that FVR, a true blooded-Pangasinan who speaks Pangasinan and Ilocano fluently, won against second-running Miriam Santiago because of the Pangasinan votes.  But Poe isn’t like Ramos. Can she fare just as well?

VP Jejomar Binay was already in town, so was Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who ignited the crowd in Lingayen and Dagupan when he again vowed to put criminals and drug lords to their graves.

We were informed that Mar Roxas and running-mate Leni Robredo will again be here March 15 to check where Pangasinenses’ loyalties truly lie.

Indeed, who will Pangasinenses bless? Leonardo Micua

 

A QUESTION OF POLITICAL WILL. The roads along the Manila North Road (Pangasinan section) and other parts of the province have been widened to make travel safe, convenient and fast.

During the construction, vendors whose stalls are beside the national highway occupying road shoulder were forced to relocate somewhere else, away from the project site.

People traversing the area hailed the construction of the road widening after seeing how quick they travel now.

Unfortunately, after only few weeks, vendors are back to the same places where they used to sell their wares. Balik sa dating gawi.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 23 of Presidential Decree No. 17, also known as the Revised Philippine Highway Act, as amended, it is declared as unlawful for any person to usurp any portion of a right-of-way (ROW), to convert any part of any public highway, bridge, wharf or trail to his own private use or to obstruct the same in any manner. There are also provisions of the National Building Code of the Philippines about this in the interest of public safety and convenience and of the common good.

As early as July 7, 2014 Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson issued Department Order No. 73 on the prohibited uses within the right-of-way (ROW) of national roads. He directed all regional/district engineering offices to immediately remove or cause the removal of all obstructions and prohibited uses within the ROW of all national roads within their respective jurisdictions.

A meeting was held in Binalonan town Tuesday presided over by DPWH District Engineer Emmanuel Diaz to form a technical working group to address this matter.

In attendance were police chiefs, municipal/city engineers along the MNR (Pangasinan section), Binalonan Mayor Mon-mon Guico, former Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco representing the office of his wife, Rep. Kimi Cojuangco.

Indeed, there must be concerted efforts among local government units, the police and the DPWH on this matter. Let’s see if there’s a political will to clear the ROW at the height of campaign period. Tita Roces

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

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