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Monday, July 07, 2003
Kintanar: A prodding from the masa
By JUNE KINTANAR
In a previous column, I mentioned about a possible upsurge of support and endorsement for President Gloria Arroyo to run in 2004 from the masa in what could be the start of a groundswell of support from the common “tao.”
An urban poor coalition recently presented to Presidential Liaison Officer Bert Emphasis a manifesto prodding the President to join the presidential race next year. The group Gugma (Love) is an urban poor community and joined by a confederation of ethnic tribes in the Visayas and Mindanao.Gugma stands for “Grassroots for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.”
The presentation of the manifesto to Emphasis coincided with the group’s launching during the latter’s weekly “Kapihan sa Cebu” last Friday at the City Sports Club at the Ayala Business Center.
Coming as it does from an urban poor group, the endorsement, or “encouragement” as some people would prefer to call it, should make the President happy. For hasn’t she said she would delight more in endorsements from the masses than in the self-serving prodding of politicians?
* * *
What’s this I hear about two close supporters of the President in Cebu who were recently seen in the company of two presidential wannabees? One was said to be escorting Raul Roco and Lito Osmeńa while the other was seen with opposition aspirant Ping Lacson.
Of course, we are in a democracy and such incidents are not necessarily taboo. But politics, you know, is a very jealous lover. And we, GMA supporters, naturally would feel jealous.
I would not be surprised that once this bit of information reaches GMA and the First Gentleman, they will feel disappointed, or even mad.
* * *
Undersecretary Junie Martinez of the Department of Agriculture must be efficient in his job. While he minced no words that he will definitely run for Cebu governor, he still has time to think of and plan a monumental project for his home province, Cebu.
In a talk with this columnist and some potential investors, Martinez revealed a plan to build an international fishport in Cebu. There are, of course, a couple of fishports already in the province but they are too small and cannot pass international standards.
Junie said he got this idea from a fishing magnate from General Santos City. This Gensan businessman told him there’s already one such fishport in his city but it is not sufficient to serve other parts of the country.
According to Martinez, the international fishport he envisions for Cebu will not only enhance the fishing industry in the country but will also boost tourism in this part of the country.
Martinez said he will tap the Philippine Fisheries Developments Authority of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to prepare the preliminary studies on the project.
As of now, he has commissioned some people to look for an appropriate site along the beaches of Cebu. The area would be around 10-30 hectares. Martinez said some Japanese and other foreign businessmen are interested in the project either as potential lessees or financiers. |
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