By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

THE news about three jeepney drivers losing to heatstroke should remind everyone that the dangerous level of heat index is true and deadly, and should not be taken lightly.

We cannot ignore warnings of heat stroke. Truth is, two weeks ago I could not understand the impact of a heat stroke until I exposed myself for two minutes under the noon sun. I felt a penetrating scorching heat on my face, scalp and my arms. I felt like a ribeye steak in an oven burning to be ‘well-done’ within minutes.

For this reason, we should empathize with the traffic enforcers, street cleaners, garbage collectors staying out in the streets, perform their tasks under the sun’s searing ray.  What happened to the jeepney drivers can very well happen to any of them anytime.

So, it’d be a blessing to our frontliners during this period if we remember to buy several bottles of cold water from 7-11 shops to be handed to our frontliners on duty: POSO personnel, street cleaners and garbage collectors. Let the bottle of cold water express our gratitude for helping keep order in our communities.

Meet them on the streets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I’m sure they’d love to pour some of that golden water over their heads after gulping a mouthful in the middle of their tasks.

Let’s do our share in keeping our energetic frontliners hale and fully hydrated the whole day! A bottle of cold water will make our frontliners smile even for just a minute!

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ANOTHER PEABRAIN RESOLUTION. Watch out! The 7 epaLiFes are already desperate to redeem themselves in any way they can. They are grasping at straws, coming up with any ridiculous idea just to earn some brownie points for 2025. They are doing a shotgun approach just hoping that at least one that they never vetted on will work for them.

Take their latest misadventure, acting in unison as authors of a resolution granting 50% discount off local business taxes of business establishments affected by elevation of the streets and drainage system. It’s another stupid attempt to express their empathy like they care.

Gosh, the 7 epaLiFes want to give 50% discount… akala nila parang shopping lang sa Facebook ang government system. Not even Lazada or Shopee, Temu or Shein can offer 50% discount on behalf of their suppliers.

The 7 epaLiFes evidently have not moved on since they were taught the embarrassing lesson by the court that the passage of the 2023 annual budget by a simple majority is legal, and does not require a “qualified majority,” (their invented phrase that is not in the books). They must have thought that since there is such a phrase “qualified theft,” referred to in the penal code there must also be an animal like “qualified majority” in voting for resolutions and ordinances. Really now! Grabe!

Besides wanting to look good for once with their ‘50% discount’ resolution, the more obvious agenda is to reduce operating funds of the city. Note that they are asking for a 50% discount for the “qualified majority “ of businessmen affected by the construction, on top of their much lower business taxes for poor revenues. There is not one in his/right mind is asking for it! Not even their claim to being a “qualified majority” can amend the law!

Given the7 epaLiFes’ mindset, the officers of the Sangguniang Kabataan are definitely far superior in thoughts and deeds. 

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STANDARD FOR BEST PRACTICES. While environmentalists in our midst are always quick to condemn stakeholders in mining for their irresponsible practices, their agenda would be more credible by acknowledging and citing what responsible mining companies do for the environment and communities.

A consistent accomplished mining company with responsible practices is the Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), the Philippines largest producer of lateritic nickel ore. It operates mines in Palawan, Surigao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Isabela, and Zambales.

What makes it outstanding in best practices in mining? It supports schools with classrooms and computers,  establishes health service for communities, organizes community groups for development of personal social responsibility particularly for Indigenous Peoples, trains qualified local personnel, repairs and above all, adopting as a company mission: to nurture nature, and give back a forest to the communities.

So let it not be said that we don’t have Filipino mining groups that are leading efforts to protect and preserve the environment. There is NAC!

NAC, the yearly recipient of Presidential Award and Platinum Awards  from the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards, is the standard for all business groups operating in Pangasinan must follow demonstrate what meaningful and significant ‘Best Practices” should mean – to help in the development of the communities and environment.

If VG Mark Lambino is looking for a model for corporate social responsibility that should be set as examples to new investors particularly in the energy sector,  look no further.

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CHINOYS & PANGASINENSES. Did you know that the biggest beneficiary of the classrooms project of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers & Industry, Inc. (FFCCII) in the country is Pangasinan?

I learned of this during the turnover of two units of school buildings to the Dinalaoan Elementary School in Calasiao by FFCCII represented by Wilson Lee and Flores William Sy last Friday.

Calasiao Mayor Kevin Macanlalay received donations of 11 school buildings from FFCCII.

And did you know that one of the key movers of the FFCCII is George Chua Cham, a senior board member?

I also had the opportunity to meet the amiable Board Member Sheila Baniqued, one of the new board members elected in 2022.  I pray she will do better than their predecessors at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan!

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