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Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Lapid braces for 2004 polls amid tight senatorial race
By Minerva Zamora-Arceo
PAMPANGA Gov. Lito Lapid is all set for the 2004 senatorial elections as his close aide, Fidel Arcenas, bared Tuesday that Lapid has started reviewing several legislative agenda he might use in his campaign portfolio.
Arcenas, Lapid’s political and technical assistant, said two of the most important legislation the governor has considered are: amendment of Republic Act (RA) 7227 or the Bases Conversion Development Act and the proposed integration of the disaster preparedness management plan in the local government units’ overall program.
Arcenas said RA 7227, signed by then President Ramos, is generally partial to the promotion Subic Bay Freeport and not to Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
According to Arcenas, the governor, if given a chance in the Senate, could push for the amendment of the RA to maximize economic development in Clark and at the same time promote a level playing field among investors in and out of the ecozone.
Arcenas said tax incentives and other investment promotions given to locators inside the ecozones do not complement with the local government units’ investment programs, thereby creating an unsound development in the local community.
He added that RA 7227 has limited provisions ensuring the full operation of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).
“But should the governor push for necessary amendments, particularly for the further development of the Macapagal airport and the promotion of comprehensive investment plan for locators in and out of the ecozones, then we could be assured of a parallel development in Central and North Luzon,” Arcenas said.
Arcenas added that the governor also wants to push for the inclusion of the disaster preparedness program in the overall program of LGUs as against the existing policy of a budget-based calamity plan.
He said under the existing law, LGU officials are only allowed to impose disaster preparedness plans under the five percent calamity fund ruling. No disaster preparedness works could be done unless a local unit has been declared under a state of calamity. He said there is no continuity in the delivery of programs, particularly in securing proper disaster preparedness and rescue trainings for personnel.
But with the proposed integration of the disaster preparedness management plan in the local executive agenda, necessary activities, purchases, and trainings could be done even without waiting for the province, city or municipality to be declared under a state of calamity.
Among the other official Lakas candidates for the Senate race are Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Robert Barbers, Mar Roxas, Richard Gordon, Juan Flavier, Robert Jaworski, Heherson Alvarez, Angelo Reyes, Orly Mercado, Roberto Pagdanganan and Bayani Fernando.
(December 31, 2003 issue)
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