Paglalahad 2013

I HAD the chance to listen to the interviews aired over DWRW 91.5 FM on two aspirants for Board Member, 1st District of Pampanga: Councilors Dr. Oscar R. Aurelio and Jerry M. Basilio, both last termers of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mabalacat City.

Dr. Aurelio, dubbed Doktor ng Bayan, was explicit in his platform of government, if elected to the provincial board. He said he will remain very accessible mainly to the health needs and concerns of his constituents.

Substantiating his experience with his previous positions in his three terms, Doc Aurelio opts to move on a broader scale and scope this time.

"Destiny would have me as a physician, rather than as an engineer, as my late father wanted me to be, but the urge to serve my kabalens best is my being a doctor," quips the amiable aspirant.

For his part, Jerry M. Basilio, a mass communications graduate, cited his various contributions to housing and other urban poor issues. He claims that he and his office have facilitated transfer of ownership from the private sector to the poor and homeless residents of the city.

Doc Aurelio emphasized that district hospitals are under the administrative ambit of the provincial government headed by Governor Lilia "Nanay Baby" G. Pineda and in his previous 10 years as Senior Medical Officer at the Mabalacat District Hospital, he saw the influx of many patients and their various unending needs, consequently draining the facility's resources. He vowed to provide these people more health services and beneficial programs once he gets elected to the provincial board. He also gave credit to Mayor Boking Morales for the latter's strong resolve to develop hitherto “abandoned” buildings and structure which the good councilor, his colleagues and the mayor have turned into birthing stations despite the absence of assistance from the Health Department in Manila.

Jerry, meanwhile, vowed to work for the farmers and introduce more good projects in Agriculture and ensure food security of the residents in the first district. He wants to address firmly the problem of genuine land transfer and he proposes to set up a provincial housing board and solve the first-mentioned problem.

Both gentlemen deserve to have seats at the provincial board and judging from their previous track records, they probably are at par, if not better than the late Board Member Tars DC Halili and the incumbent Cris Garbo, who is seeking another term.

In sum, the people of the First District would do well by electing these aspirants.

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L & T International, a garments manufacturing firm inside the Clark Freeport Zone, has provided sewing machines for trainees of Mabalacat City. This is a good gesture as it will enhance the skills of Mabalaqueños in sewing. After the training, they may be assured of employment after, of course, an advanced training at the garments firm. This effort, encouraged by Mayor Boking Morales, was made also possible through Peso Mabalacat, still headed by this writer and the support of the multi-sectoral head, Gerry Dayrit.

I have to mention here the trainings being done, through the efforts of the City Social and Development Office headed by Lapurisima P. Gomez and aided by Ma. Luisa Maglalang, with the cooperation of Tesda. Ongoing trainings are hair care, electronics and, to be conducted –auto servicing. I encourage people, particularly the out-of-school youths to participate in these skills trainings.