Friday, January 12, 2007 Tubalut: New and old By Noel Tubalut My Palm Notes
IT'S half a month onto 2007. With New Year comes new things, new ideas, new personalities, new almost everything. But old things and practices just could not be shed off. As the adages go, "Old hard habits -- hard to break", "New collar, old dog", and more.
Let's talk about new and old in tidbits fashion. I hope our readers would comprehend. Intelligent as they are, I am sure they could.
CDC's top honcho Levy Laus is noting the influx of investors in Clark. Nope, he doesn't claim credits for the increase in the number of approved projects for 2006 (101 projects against 91 in 2005) and much more for the 212-percent increase in the amount of committed investments by the newly approved locators (P5.1 billion in 2006 against P1.6 billion in 2005).
What he is also concerned about is the welfare of employees vis-ā-vis the growing number of Clark locators who are set to hire thousands of workers in their respective firms. Laus, whose managerial acumen takes into consideration the living conditions of workers, is calling on other businessmen to consider investing in low-cost housing for employees in Clark Ecozone.
Something new. Something very viable. After all, past CDC presidents have been so pre-occupied during their stint in CDC with boosting their stock by having on paper substantial growth rates in investments, exports, employment and other indicators. Mr. Laus, of course is just as happy to see that. But there's something more on the surface, which he is trying to scratch. It's about keeping workers happy, satisfied and their needs taken care of. Housing is one of them.
The call has been sounded off for investors. I am sure CDC would have something very handsome as attraction package. Any takers?
* * * * *
New in the political arena -- Rox Peņa. Mabalacat town is abuzz with talks that he is running for councilor. Let him go for it.
Rox is more than just a media colleague, but civic-minded fellow whose contributions to the business sector, environment protection and even employment generation cannot be understated.
Rox will be a welcome development insofar as local governance is concerned. He will be a breakthrough in politicking, promising nothing but his intelligent approach to societal problems such as drug addiction, poverty, livelihood sources, what have you. Name the problem. He could draw a practicable solution.
* * * * *
Something old
There's an old habit by a lot of passenger jeepney drivers, which needed to be curbed, if not broken.
It's parking, loading and unloading on street corners along McArthur Highway. This habit is not only old, but ugly, unconscionable and dangerous to motorists and pedestrians.
Pakiusap naman po sa mga pamunuan ng mga ibat-ibang jeepney drivers associations na paki-usapan ng mahusay ang mga miyembro na huwag pumarada sa mga kasuluk-sulukan ng mga kanto na papasok o palabas ng McArthur Highway.
Araw-araw sa aking pagmamaneho palabas ng McArthur Highway, maraming matitigas ang ulo sa mga drivers na nakaparada sa mga kanto. Ito ay halos magdulot ng sakuna o aksidente sa akin at sa aking pamilya.
I am sure this plight is being experienced by tens of thousands of motorists who have to deal with undisciplined drivers. Attention: LTO, LTFRB, PNP, drivers' associations.
