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Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Pangan: Moving on and beyond
By Benjie R. Pangan
THE road to progress. By now, almost everyone who uses the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) knows this crisp but smart quip from the PR group of Tollways Management Corporation led by Benjie Suzara and complemented by Boboy Valles, the hardworking community relations manager of the firm.
Up until now, operations in the once-described expensive major road link to Central and Northern Luzon, are smooth and viable but, according to Boboy, patronage has been trimmed by 20 percent vis-a-vis some two months after the opening. Boboy explained that there were factors, which somewhat lessened the gross toll receipts, among which is the rising cost of gasoline und diesel. Some expansion plans have to be put temporarily on hold, according to Boboy, till the gross intake accelerates.
Anyway, I assured Boboy that the Nlex is now a landmark in Central Luzon and will be the best conduit from Metro Manila to the northern provinces.
Bike lanes, livelihood and others. Provincial Board Member Tars DC Halili works hard and consistently to provide, not only his district's inhabitants, but also the residents of the Province of Pampanga relief from rising costs of gasoline and other petroleum products.
In my chat with him at the San Lorenzo Parish grounds last week, Tars said he plans to introduce more legislations in order to improve his constituents' livelihood and living standards. He has drafted some ordinances aimed at easing the burden of his province mates and will continue to explore ways to alleviate the hardship now being felt by the latter.
Speaking of programs, I had the chance to be with Mayor Boking P. Morales last Wednesday on the cable TV program Aksyon Central Luzon hosted by Sonny Lopez, a media man par excellence and a public relations guru.
Several topics were discussed, including the joint resolution in Congress which bats for the retention of the tax incentives to about 354 locators at the Clark which, by the way, may be compelled to move elsewhere if the resolution is not passed, thus causing dislocation of some 34,000 workers coming mostly from Mabalacat, Angeles City, Porac, Magalang and Bamban. Our views were solicited by Sonny on Charter change, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway project and other work-in-progress.
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Another point of interest is the plight of porters and callers (barkers) at the Mabalacat Bus Terminal. The designated porters are Jornel Fajardo, Alvin Novicio and Ronnie Ibe. I learned from Ricardo "Dirut" Bautista and manager Joel Terrenio that identification cards will be given to these porters to distinguish them from those who pretend to be porters but, in truth, are snatchers who prey on unsuspecting passengers.
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Southeast Asian Games (SEAG). This important sports activity scheduled for November this year in the Philippines, is one which merits all the support it can muster not only from the National Government but also from local governments, Angeles City included.
Rey Pineda, Mayor Carmelo F. Lazatin's action man, was enthusiastic when he met this writer in the Jaime T. Licauco's seminar. And rightfully so, because the SEA Games will showcase our local sports talents who will compete with the best in Southeast Asia and from these games will emerge our candidates for the Asian games and beyond. The Philippines is expected to trade mitts with Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam and vie for honors in the encounters. Let us give our wholehearted support to, and prayers for, the success of the SEA Games.
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Inner mind development seminar. Mr. Jaime T. Licauco, a prominent lecturer and author on brain waves, intuition and extra sensory perception (ESP), conducted a two-day seminar on these and other subjects at the Montevista Mimosa in Clark, October 1 and 2.
With the motto "The mind knows no limits, aside from those it accepts", Mr. Licauco wowed his audience with his wit, humor and deep knowledge of self mastery and self healing. In Day One, he discussed how the brain works, gave points on visualization, understanding dreams and the interpretation thereof.
Day Two, Jimmy enthralled seminar participants on establishing subjective reference points, remote viewing, achieving goals using the whole brain, expanding one's awareness and the eight laws of the supra-conscious mind. In both instances, exercises were done by participants to validate the lectures.
I was in the company of Mayor Boking Morales, his son Dwight, Nina, Soc Sabile and Sonny Lopez. Later in the day, Deng Pangilinan came to substitute for Nina. Also present were Arnel Sugay, Rey Pineda and wife, Barangay Chairman Edgar of Anonas, Judy Ann Fontillas of Fortune Ville, Marilou Venzon-Ong of Ayala Land Sales, Eden Alfonso of Pelco, Noli Reyes and others, including medical practitioners.
Speaking of Noli Reyes, he is the general manager of Mimosa Leisure Estate. Over lunch, he spoke of the innovations he did for the facility in order to enhance its functionality and make it attractive to residents, visitors and dignitaries.
Making use of his vast experience, vision and creativity honed in different establishments, including Camp John Hay, Noli converted the otherwise staid leisure area into one bubbling convergence point, especially for golfers. Hats off to Noli!
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I'd like to thank Mary Jaisa R. Timpug, senior HR staff at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, for the attention and time she gave me and Nelson Paras when we visited DMIA to inquire about job openings thereat.
(October 4, 2005 issue)
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