Guv seeks biz group’s ‘help’

CLARK FREEPORT -- Governor Lilia Pineda bared on Thursday her administration’s accomplishments in the last 30 months before officials and members of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce Inc.

She also sought the assistance of the chamber in “showing the country and the whole world that Pampanga is peaceful,” contrary to the province’s being in the “watchlist” this coming May polls.

The governor was loudly applauded by the business group during its 41st General Membership Meeting at the Widus Convention Center here, especially when she disclosed that Capitol has some cash-in-bank of P1.5 billion, including the milestone quarry revenues of P675 million, plus the millions spent by the Provincial Government for health, education, infrastructure and other social services.

In a nutshell, Governor Pineda said Capitol has spent some P94 million for health programs and care of more than 27,000 indigent patients plus improvement of various district hospitals; a total of about P22 million for educational assistance that benefited 5,649 scholars; P160 million for the rehabilitation and construction of new classrooms; P36 million in livelihood grants for 4,950 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs; a collection of P48 million in real property taxes gained from the new I-Tax system and tax mapping; and P260 million in aid to local government units for infrastructure and added social services, including maintenance of peace and order.

“I have been all I can to look after the welfare of Kapampangans from all sectors. Inaruga ko ang Pampanga in the last 30 months at ginagawa ko ang lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Sana ay tulungan ninyo akong maituloy lahat ito, particularly our peace and order programs and our continued journey towards progress,” she said.

The governor stressed that the business sector could help greatly in “showing the country and the world” that the region-less Kapampangan race is peace-loving with or without elections and that it does not belong to the “election hotspot watchlist.”

“I appeal to you to participate in our efforts to show them that we are a peaceful people even without a region like the Tagalog, Ilocanos and Visayans. Ipakita natin hindi lang sa bansa kundi sa buong mundo na hindi magulo ang Pampanga,” she emphasized, noting of a major investor who backed-out from interests in the province after getting wind that Pampanga was on the watchlist.

“Nasa kamay ninyo ang kaunlaran at patuloy na progreso ng probinsiya. Malaki ang epekto nito sa ating lahat. Please help me show them we are not what they think we are. Lahat dito ay nagmamahalan at marangal elekyon man o hindi,” added Governor Pineda.

She also urged PamCham to give her an assessment of her administration: “Please give me your assessment on this administration. Kung hindi man karapatdapat ay tatanggapin ko.”

For the chamber’s part, chairman emeritus Levy P. Laus said that they will fully support the governor’s call.

“I agree with Governor Pineda that Kapampangans are peaceful and that the province is orderly even during elections. Everyone here are friends. It’s a welcome request to us,” said Laus.