Saturday, March 03, 2007 San Pedro: Apalit National High School is dad's legacy By Art R. San Pedro Synthesis
IN MOST cities and municipalities, members of the local legislatures limit their roles as local legislators. They enact resolutions and ordinances to advance the public welfare. The implementation of these resolution and ordinances is left to the better judgment of local chief executives.
But for every rule, there is an exception. Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza of Apalit, chairman of the committee on education, saw the need to go out of his way, in order to establish the Apalit National High School. Against all odds, he pursed his vision with uncharacteristic courage and determination.
Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza introduced Resolution 23, S-2004 authorizing the committee on education to represent the Municipality of Apalit in coordinating with Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the possible conversion of the old Pampanga River Control System (PRCS) Building into Apalit National High School.
Later on, the Apalit Municipal Council passed Resolution 54, S-2004 requesting Pampanga Governor Mark T. Lapid and Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid to help and assist the Municipality of Apalit in the conversion of the old and abandoned compound of the Pampanga River Control System in Sulipan, Apalit into the Apalit National High School.
A similar resolution was subsequently passed requesting Congresswoman Anna York Bondoc to help and assist the old building abandoned in the PRCS compound in the Apalit National High School.
Subsequently, Resolution 6, S-2006 was passed introducing to the DepEd Region III the intention to establish the Apalit National High School was also endorsed via Resolution No. 49, S-2005, requesting Regional Director Ramon Aquino, DPWH to effect the turnover of the operation management of the old building and facilities of the abandoned PRCS Composed to the auspices of the DepEd Region III.
All these painstaking negotiation with concerned officials gave birth to the memorandum of agreement (MOA) whereby 11,685 square meter portion of the PRCS in Sulipan, Apalit was turned over to the DepEd. In view of the MOA, at least 500 first year and second year high school students will enroll at the Apalit National High School.
Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza also expressed his gratitude to Congressman Mieky M. Arroyo who helped facilitate for approval of pertinent documents from the DPWH Head Office in Manila. We could not have made without the help of Congressman Mikey M. arroyo, said Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza. He also thanked Congressman Anna York Bondoc for her support and allocating P 400,000 portion of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (Pdaf) for the operation of the Apalit National high School.
While most of the efforts of Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza have been focused in the establishment of the Apalit National High School, he also envisioned the establishment of a public library in Apalit. He also supports the lighting of the commercial center in Apalit where most establishments are located. We have an annual income of more than P80 million and it is a pity that the commercial center in Apalit cannot even be well lighted, said Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza. He also ficalized and opposed the P11 million computerization program in Apalit detrimental to public interest.
Sanny has great plans in Apalit. He wants to end patronage politics. He wants that the P80-M budget be used to address basic services and other social problems. Young and idealistic, he bring new and innovative ideas in Apalit. This has been the reason when he was twice elected as municipal councilor in Apalit.
In 2007, he will give the vice mayorship in Apalit a second try. He will team up with Board Member Nestor Tolentino who is eyeing mayorship.
He believes that Apalit has a good future. If it is properly managed and its leaders do away too much patronage and traditional politics the situation can be much better. They must star with education.
In the local election of 2007 the Apalit National High School shall either make or break Councilor Sanny.
Carry on Councilor Sanny in your dream to be Vice Mayor. You already have a legacy in the Apalit National High School, which other do not have.
God Bless!
