Another idea whose time has come
 

 

By Gonzalo Duque

 

THE nation is grieving over the Southern Leyte tragedy.  We are all in mourning and prayers so the Lord Almighty will lighten the sufferings of thousands of the people in that hapless part of the country. 

We saw the worst in men, but we also saw the best in men. Ironically, the best mostly came from foreign shores, them who never hesitated to come to comfort our afflicted without any selfish agenda. I was moved and touched by instantaneous help and succor from humanitarian souls for our countrymen.

What about some people who wanted to exploit the disaster to promote their selfish ends? This   is the deeper reason for my grieving heart.

While our souls have been touched, let’s take a look at what self-serving Pinoys have made of Edsa on the occasion of its 20th anniversary? The opposition including the left and other detractors of the President did their worst to paint a gory portrait of the President and her government by resorting to all kinds of put-down activities. Shame!

Wala na bang katapusan yan?

In our province, many have expressed dread and fear some parts of Pangasinan could follow Leyte’s tragedy. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and many local governments here know fully well that most of our mountains have been stripped bare by illegal loggers which include politicians and unscrupulous businessmen.

I won’t be surprised if a similar tragedy struck Pangasinan anytime, God forbid!  How many of us have been patriotically guarding our forests from forest destroyers?

In l957, Mabini was flooded ala Noah in the Bible. Many parts of Pangasinan were under water during the rainy season. The floods, in case we are taking them lightly, are the first signs of Nature’s abuse. It could be worse if no decisive steps are taken to prevent more tragic events arising from floods due to man’s greed and demonic instincts.

Let’s ponder the lesson of Leyte. Pray that we would be spared by Nature’s fury and other reversals. We should act now. Better late than never.

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There are those who would dangle political candies and lollipops before me, but, well, probably, I am flattered, but I’d rather stick to education, a noble field where one is able to help shape the community and nation. Take a look at our low-level politics. I have been there before, and I could only wish our political gamesmen goodluck.

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There’s an idea whose time has come which I want to pursue with the greatest vigor:  The creation of a Metro Dagupan Commission.

With the fast modernization of our communities, the idea may just as well be realized soon. My older brother Dr. Ado, who is the regional development council chair, has been fighting for and discoursing on this. I understand Mayor Benjie Lim filed a bill in Congress when he was in that body creating the Calasiao, Mangaldan Dagupan  (Camada) Commisssion, to promote interdependence among the adjoining  or contiguous local government units.

I have yet to get the details of this from City Administrator Raffy Baraan.

Consider: Dagupan’s garbage disposal system couldn’t ignore the neighboring towns, simply because   its real estate is contiguous with its neighbors. This principle should also apply to the towns that transact business in and with Dagupan City on a daily basis.

It is for this reason and other vital reasons that I am asking Speaker Joe de Venecia to pick the pieces of this still unrealized project. They have done it in Metro Manila. So, what’s holding us in Metro Dagupan?

It’s very opportune that we have a Pangasinense president who, I’m sure, will support this. And we have Speaker Joe de V who could easily make this a concrete reality. Kuya Joe, this is both an appeal and a challenge to you from me. And already, I could see you smiling. Shan’t we, Kuya Joe?

(Editor’s note: if the idea is realized, will our columnist turn his back if the position of Metrro Dagupan commissioner is offered to him?)

I have anticipated this humor from boss Ermin, but I say, out with politics muna.
 

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