Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Mercado: Levy, Chichos in 'Kadwang Apag' By Ram Mercado First Person
AS PAMPANGA greets the Chief Executive, Happy Birthday on Saturday, her Cabalen remain loyal and steadfast in their support for her; their affection is undiminished, according to Clark Development Corp. (CDC) chief Levy Laus.
April 5 is the President's birthday. Allow me to confirm from personal knowledge and proclaim to all Cabalen that the fabled and much awaited "kadwang apag" is now being served.
Destiny has taken her to the Presidency to serve the nation.
Consequently fate has demanded -- and she is now fulfilling -- the promise of a "golden era" in Pampanga as envisioned by her father, President Diosdado P. Macapagal.
The legend of the "kadwang apag", the metaphorical equivalent of a second serving in the Pampangos' barrio fiesta celebration did not materialize upon the defeat of her father in his re-election bid. The Poor Boy of Lubao was clobbered by the Wonder Boy of Batac.
So it fell on the daughter to redeem the vaunted but unfulfilled ambition of the late President for his land of birth. She had done wonders in Pampanga more than what was expected of her father.
Apung Dadong did not see a vision of an international airport inside Clark Air Base nor an ambitious expressway like the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx); neither a bare outline of an economic zone, now Clark Freeport.
With her endless litany of achievements, the President has still until 2010 to reproduce minor miracles for Pampanga.
Laus goes the second mile to keep people's trust and confidence in the President aglow.
His TV station, radio network and daily newspaper are doing tremendous propaganda work for the administration, an advantage of intangible value in governance.
At the CDC, Laus had recently approved increase in compensation and allowance of the employees, considered the highest paid workers in a state-run economic freeport.
This is giving meaning to the avowal of the President to uplift CDC employees morale and welfare through substantial hikes in their salaries, according to CDC public affairs chief Angelo Lopez, Jr.
Laus has also put flesh into the President's pledge to promote the socio-economic plight of the less privileged, this time, the neglected indigenous tribes within the free port zone.
Since the early 80's, Aeta communities at the Sabodia area along Bamban and Mabalacat west clamored for government assistance for their mobility and transportation problem.
Laus had made that long time dream come true last Monday. Now the Aeta communities are being served with adequate transport services for their farm produce and daily needs to access commercial sites.
Laus turned over 12 L300 FB Vans and an Adventure SUV to Aeta chieftains for use in their barangays up in the Sacobia mountain ranges and part of Mabalacat.
The President must be elated to know that the Aeta tribes are taken care of by CDC as part of its outreach development for indigenous tribes, Lopez said.
Laus now rarely goes home to San Fernando, spending invaluable hours at his Clark residence on a pressing priority: the power infrastructure upgrading and expansion inside Clark.
He anticipates the present power load demand now at 43 MW to increase by 100 MW in the next five years.
The present capacity transmission capacity will not be able to meet this demand with its functional capacity of 64 MW.
The President is watching the CDC chief's energy level to achieve this P3 billion project by late 2009.
Not to be outdone, in presenting worthy and valuable projects as a token of the President's natal day, Clark International Airport Corp. (Ciac) president Victor Jose.
Luciano has timed the signing on April 4 of a joint agreement with Singapore Airlines Engineering and Kuwait Gulf and Link to establish the Global Gateway Logistics Park.
The two firms will invest over US$125 million for the park and the huge maintenance facility.
About 700 new jobs are expected, Chichos estimated the projects' boon on the local employment.
Luciano's passionable obsession is the realization of an expanded terminal capacity for Dioasdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in preparation for the inevitable growing air transportation demands, both as a gateway and a logistical hub serving several continents.
Luciano's performance at Ciac had been recognized by international aviation organizations.
He said the awards he and the DMIA had received reflect the President's calibrated moves for the airport's gradual but steady growth and full development.
Laus and Luciano's latest performance were not only meant to highlight the birthday anniversary of the Cabalen President, but to provide evidence that the Macapagal vision of a "kadwang apag" indeed is a promise to be redeemed.
And fulfilled beyond what was unwittingly drawn and providentially realized between two generations of leaders, a father and daughter team who loved their native province.
Apung Dadong can now rest in eternal peace, with his daughter, the President, carrying the torch for him, and creating her own brilliant galaxy of achievements for both their unfading legacy.
Hats off to these guys: Laus as the lead man in Arroyo's centerpiece development projects at Clark, through increased investments, more jobs, tourist arrivals, and infrastructure building; Luciano, for his steady performance in the DMIA transformation from a military airport into a world class international gateway.
Secretary Ed Pamintuan, for monitoring and coordinating the President's CL development agenda through the SCADC; and Ciac chairman Nestor Mangio who with his wife Marion are overseeing the spiritual healing of the First Family; Representative Aurelio Gonzales, Jr. whose Arroyo-supported projects bring Arroyo closer and loveable to the dissident areas of Pampanga.
Let us not forget CDC director Max Sangil who burns the airwaves with his consistent defense/offense for the Arroyos.
Let Laus, Luciano, and the President's people in Pampanga, keep doing great jobs.
We have still until 2010 to annex a dramatic golden era at Clark Free Port.
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I join the Clark community in commending CDC-PSD Manager Superintendent Nicanor Targa for his acclaimed successful job in the recent providing peace of mind and security for the participants of three-day Philippine Development Forum (PDF).
World Bank (WB) country director Ben Nofman cited Col Targa for his elaborate and top quality security program for 400 delegates, including ambassadors and high officials from 30 countries, 150 Philippine officials and their families. It's a feat unduplicated in any other venue, Nofman stressed.
Well, that's a new feather in the cap for Colonel Targa's future job as Provincial Director within Region 3.
