Tulabut: Gratitude and long arms

Friday, August 12, 2011

BACOLOR is about 30 kilometers from Arayat town, more or less.

Geographically, they are located at extreme ends of the third district of Pampanga, with the fabled mountain town in the east and the former Philippine capital on the west end.

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But such locations are made closer, development wise. People in these two towns should be thankful that their government is working. And they are indeed, particularly to their Congressman, Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr.

Take for example the people of Arayat town that has a total population of about 120,000. Officials of one of its 30 barangays - San Juan Bano - just know how to express their gratitude to the lawmaker by naming a resettlement area after the second-termer congressman.

The barangay council in the foothills of Mount Arayat recently passed a resolution that honors Cong Dong by naming a resettlement area for landslide victims as "Dong's New Community."

And why would they not be grateful to him? The good congressman shelled out funds for the purchase of the 1.5-hectare property that is now the new home to victims of Typhoon Ondoy that hit the country almost two years ago. The good congressman provided them not just a place for shelter but also an opportunity to rebuild their lives after that tragic incident that claimed 12 lives in that barangay.

As far as I could recall, there are no resettlement sites in the whole of Pampanga that has been named after a living person, moreso, after a serving congressman. This act of gratitude tells of people's utmost thankfulness to Cong Dong and how he is making government work for them. And that is something. That is unparalleled.

At the western end in Bacolor, there is more proof of government (read: Dong) action.

We need not tell you of the marshall plan for Bacolor that is now in effect for the town's complete rehabilitation from Pinatubo's devastation and lahar onslaughts. It took almost 20 years and one congressman (whose credentials were belittled by his detractors) to see Bacolor come back to life.

Cong Dong's efforts in Congress did not only make sure the passage of Bacolor Rehabilitation Plan. It made sure that the town will indeed have the resources to back up the marshall plan. With P4 billion already in government coffers that could be tapped, Bacolor is now slowly returning to its old glory.

How about the other towns of the third district where Cong Dong is also their diputado? Go ask Sta. Ana Mayor Rommel Concepcion how his praises for Cong Dong for various projects. In one flag raising ceremonies, Mayor Omeng expressed thanks for funding the construction of the public market's extension building as well as the parallel pathway along the town's main bridge within the poblacion area.

How about the City of San Fernando (CSF) where Mayor Oscar Rodriguez - his ninong - is about to complete the nine years of three terms?

Mayor Oca may not praise Cong Dong to high heavens due to a falling out but already his constituency is seeking his possible successor come the 2013 elections.

Who do some CSF leaders are eyeing? No less than Cong Dong's better half - Beth Panlilio Gonzales. In some occasions, some barangay leaders have already signified their interests in having Mrs. Gonzales as their candidate for mayor in the next local elections.

Political pundits and observers are saying that this move is not only a manner to say thank you to the congressman but is also an acknowledgment of the fact that the city would reap more government action if a Gonzales is seated at the City Hall by 2013. And I agree. Dare I say that with Miss Beth at City Hall, is an extension of Dong's outstanding public service that would do Fernandinos a lot of good.

There you have it. From as far as Arayat in the east, to the center in San Fernando, then westward to Bacolor, Cong Dong's long arms of service is seen and felt.

Who else could ever beat that?