Mayor: Aquino will not forsake Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO-- President Benigno Aquino III will not forsake the province in terms of its share in development programs, said Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who earlier was voted as president of the influential League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), said that Aquino has never looked at Kapampangans in a different way.

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The mayor’s reaction came following the call of some local leaders and businessmen in the province for President Aquino to continue supporting local government initiatives.

"Sa palagay ko ay hindi naman niya pababayaan ang Pampanga. The truth is, if not for the President, I wouldn't have won that easily in the LCP presidential contest. And therefore, it means he acknowledges that I am a Kapampangan, I am from San Fernando. Hindi niya tiningnan ng hindi maganda ang mga Kapampangan," Rodriguez said.

But Rodriguez said in overall programs, Pampanga will not be given special attention, especially that President Aquino has no favoritism.

He also said Aquino believes that his partners in governance are the local government units (LGUs).

"If these units don't deliver, it will be a reflection of the national leadership's failure because these are frontline services in local governments. He knows the importance of LGUs, particularly the provinces like Pampanga as well as the municipalities and the cities," Rodriguez said. (Jovi T. De Leon)