By Eva C. Visperas

 

YOU don’t often see he governor during barangay fiestas. Maybe, for one, he’d easily burned out if he attended all 1,364 barangays in Pangasinan. It definitely takes a lot to be part of the barangay folks’ party.

He, however, sometimes attends municipal or city fiestas, especially Barangay Night or People’s Night.

A major concern is security. One can never be too sure nowadays, especially when going to remote areas late at night simply to attend a merry-making activity.

Provincial Administrator Ely Patague explained to us that Governor Ramon Guico III has his own strategy for reaching out to the people in the barangays. He does it with his Kumustahan 2024: The Governor’s Visit.

I watched a Facebook video posted on the official page of the provincial government about this ‘Kumustahan’ last month. Gov. Monmon, Vice Gov. Mark Lambino, Board Members Jerry Agerico Rosario and Marinor de Guzman, PA Ely Patague plus San Jacinto Mayor Leo de Vera visited five barangays in one day.

During a talk with PA Ely with some newsmen the other day, he pointed out many good things the governor is doing that Pangasinenses need to know. (That talk was like a ‘Kumustahan’, too, as PA Ely welcomed comments, whether positive or negative, about the provincial governance).

PA Ely‘s openness to ideas and suggestions of is what I admire about him. He does not get easily offended, speaks calmly, and makes you feel comfortable sharing your observations.

He started from the news of how the recently-established Pangasinan Polytechnic College is making initial strides, to the Green Canopy project for environment, the Capitol Redevelopment for tourism, to the unfinished construction of a building fronting the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City, the New York trip and other travels of some officials, among others.

One had to listen attentively as it was just a casual and pleasant talk, not a recorded interview.

I’ll try to recall some of the details of that ‘kumustahan’ and write about them later, but for now, let me zero in on the governor’s ‘Kumustahan’.

Barangays Casibong, Imelda, Sta. Maria, San Roque, and Guibel, all in San Jacinto, were the initial areas visited.

I asked PA Ely why these barangays? And Kapitan Benjamin de Guzman of Casibong gave the precise answer: “It was the first time in their barangay that a governor of the province has visited them.”

For the governor, it is important to go down to the barangays to inform the people about the programs and projects that the provincial government is doing for them. And I agree. And he becomes more credible if ‘kumustahan’ done consistently, regardless of elections.

The people have to know, otherwise, there will be misconceptions of non-performance. “You feed the right information to the public,” PA Ely said.

It may sound cliché, but Vice Gov. Lambino stressed the importance of bringing the government closer to the people through the ‘Kumustahan’.

“Yes, go to the barangays. Mingle with the ordinary folks. Do as you did when you were still campaigning for your victory. Hear the people’s pleas and bring solutions to their urgent needs. It’s first-hand information, real talk, and honest conversation with the people.”

The governor’s ‘Kumustahan’ is set to go around the province in the coming days. That’s good and I wish him all the best in his noble intentions. Not pa-guwapo nor paasa.

But to the barangay folks, please don’t ask for the moon and the stars from our governor and his men!

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