Oscar Orbos returns to politics (Second of two series)

By October 24, 2021Sports Eye

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

THE 1995 five-day Tour of Pangasinan bikefest dubbed as “OO Na, Takbo Na” became the standard for competitive cycling among the Pangasinan cycling enthusiasts who participated. Today, the same contestants, most of whom are already retired, keep asking me if there will be a replay of the “OO Na, Takbo Na” held two decades ago.

Yes, they do remember that successful multi-staged bicycle road race conducted in January 1995 that was organized and sponsored by former First District Congressman Oscar M. Orbos as one of his campaign activities for his bid to become governor of our province. I told them that were it not of the COVID-19 pandemic, the five-day bikefest would have been revived last year (March 29 – April 2).

It was set to be sponsored by our provincial government on the initiative of our hard-working and sports-minded Gov. Amado Espino III, under the auspices of the Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC). Like the 26 Orbos races during his term as congressman and governor that I directed, I was supposed to direct the planned 2020 Tour of Pangasinan by Gov. Pogi.  Unfortunately, the world’s “COVID-19” pandemic killed it and was shelved indefinitely. But I’m still hoping it will be held during summer time next year.

Honestly, when Oca Orbos and I talked last week, he said he’s giving his full support to Gov. Pogi’s reelection bid in 2022. He also shared with me a list of his ten advocacies that he aims to pursue if again elected as Representative of the First District of Pangasinan at the House of Representatives.

Although the sports-minded Bani-born Orbos did not mention any program for the development of sports in the first district of Pangasinan as among the ten advocacies he mentioned, I was sincerely touched firstly by his advocacy to see to the completion of the Santiago Island Bridge, a provincial project already started by his brother Tim Orbos, the former owner of the Pangasinan Presidents/Waves squad, the first professional basketball team of the province, that saw action in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) where I served as commissioner.

Secondly, I was impressed, too, when he mentioned the need to complete and start the operation of the Alaminos International Airport and the Logistics International Center, servicing South China, Japan and Korea.

Thirdly, he said he wants to finally establish the Sual International Seaport with a dry port facility, servicing the requirements of neighboring countries; the construction and operation of a modern small fisherman’s wharf/port in Infanta, that will serve the towns of Dasol, Burgos and Agno coastal communities.

Fourthly, he wants to establish a modern hospital with the state-of-the-art equipment in Alaminos City that will be manned by trained staff and specialists, and to integrate, upgrade and modernize the Provincial Hospital in Alaminos and the emergency facility in Bolinao.

Fifth, he will see to the construction of the Bugallon to Villasis Expressway that will link NLEX to western Pangasinan; the establishment of the new Lareg-Lareg estates in Malasiqui that will provide additional development of mixed-use estates. Orbos said it will enhance wealth creation, business, employment opportunities for Dagupan City, Calasiao, San Carlos City, Malasiqui, Basista, Bayambang and Urdaneta City. These will lead to the development of the Bugallon-Villasis growth corridor.

These were among the ten he mentioned. Alas, I’ve run out of space to cite them all.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed abomination. They shall surely put to death. Their blood should be upon them.” LEVITICUS: 20: 13

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