Random Thoughts
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME – When San Manuel Councilor Sheila Marie Perez-Galicia won anew as president of the Philippine Councilors’ League (Pangasinan chapter), it was a loss not only by her defeated opponent, Councilor Juday Vargas of Lingayen.
It was a tough fight as Bokal Sheila and her family had to fight two political giants behind Miss Vargas’ bid. Reps. Leopoldo Bataoil and Amado Espino Jr. of the 2nd and 5th districts respectively, went all-out for Vargas. Both made sure were present in her meetings with the councilors per district during the campaign for the PCL polls.
In those meetings, Cong. Espino was very passionate in his speeches, of course, hitting hard as usual his and his son and namesake’s opponents and their enemies’ supporters.
The May 16 election fever has not subsided a bit, some councilors noted.
But here’s a postscript to Sheila’s dad, Vice Mayor Badong Perez: Wag masyadong mayabang at magaslaw ang mga salita at kilos po, ha? Don’t be so BAD. Remember, weder-weder lang!
But moving on from the PCL debacle, Cong. Espino and his son, Gov. Pogi rebounded in their winning streak. This time at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (Pangasinan chapter) election on Aug. 18 at Lenox Hotel, their favored bet, Binalonan Mayor Ramon “Monmon” Guico III won as president. He won unopposed.
Guico is eyeing to become the national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, a post held by his father, former Binalonan mayor Ramon “Monching” Guico Jr. during the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (GMA is a cousin of the elder Guico).
Many mayors had eyebrows raised – Won’t the men of President Digong push for their own candidate? That’s hard to believe.
Mayor Monmon is reportedly banking on the support of GMA since Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno is her maternal relative (Macaraeg side).
Here’s a wish of the mayors in case luck smiles anew at the Guicos. Sana daw talagang magiging tulay ng mga mayors si Monmon in case he wins as national president. Sana wag na daw maulit ang nangyari nung si Tatay Monching ang naging LMP president. Nganga, walang biyayang tinamasa daw ang mga mayors noon.—Tita Roces
FERRY TRAVEL – It is about time the studies for the Tri-City Service proposed some seven years ago by then Mayors Hernani Braganza of Alaminos City, Alipio Fernandez Jr. of Dagupan City and Pablo Ortega of San Fernando City, are given serious consideration given the continuing gridlock along the highways linking the three cities, now badly hurting their respective tourism industry if not their economies.
Recall that in 2008, the mayors of Alaminos, Dagupan and San Fernando cities held several meetings moderated no less by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to discuss the tri-city project but in the long run lost their respective steam. And the Regional Development Council (RDC) gave its blessing to the project.
We recommend that the three cities send a team to Auckland, New Zealand to study its ferry system that can bring anyone to any point north from the city center of Auckland in matters of minutes. We experienced riding one of their ferries on August 19 when we took advantage of the sunny weather to stroll and sightseeing in the city.
It took us just 45 minutes to reach the city center of Auckland from our place at Gulf Harbour, a distance that could take more than an hour’s travel by car or by bus. Operated by a private firm Fuller, it has about 10 or more modern ferries, from medium to big, servicing Auckland to different points of interests, including at Gulf Harbour where we live.
The return on investment for the company that operates the Auckland Ferry must be high considering the high volume of passengers riding each way. Its passengers, aside from tourists, include those going to their respective places of work, and those going to the airport. The ferry also takes these workers back home in the afternoon after work.
If only to inject some adrenalin to their respective tourism, the three cities must now proceed with the project. The link must be established soon. – Leonardo Micua
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
