Saturday, April 12, 2008 Tulabut: Of trips, airport and roads By Noel G. Tulabut My Palm Notes
DEPARTMENT heads of the Mabalacat Municipal Government are in Bangkok, Thailand.
So I was told about the weekend sojourn. As of this writing, they could be enjoying the sight of historic temples or marveling at its modern structural wonders or getting wowed by the infamous baht chains.
Back here at home people wonder too. Questions arise as to who is funding the trip for the chiefs of offices and their assistants. It is, I would say, the first foreign trip of its kind for a group of hardworking civil servants from my hometown. Don't get me wrong now, but I have always been for a system of rewards and incentives for people in government who had always shown exemplary service.
But a trip taking place after a massive layoff of casual employees may not always look good. Not especially to Deng Pangilinan, chairman of both the Pampanga Press Club and Mabalacat Water District.
Deng is so concerned about the possible repercussions of the trip on Mayor Marino Morales. He said a trip like this will definitely draw questions from the public. And I could only agree.
He avers that some people behind the Gabby Concepcion look alike mayor failed to consider the backlash on the image of the local chief executive. I could agree even more.
I tried getting Mayor Morales's side on this issue but I did not get a reply to my text message to his two cell phones. Initially, I heard that the trip was purportedly funded by DTI (Department of Trade and Industry).
This is the third foreign trip of Mabalacat officials. Last year, some members of the Municipal Council (and chaperones) went to Hong Kong on a "lakbay aral." This was followed by a (cruise) trip to Singapore also by Municipal Council members in February this year. I just did not know what was the purpose of the latter.
Deng is so concerned about Mayor Morales, stating even that those who prevailed upon the mayor in setting this trip up are "political liabilities." I could only surmise that he could be referring to the criticisms that may be hurled, with the next elections scheduled two years from now.
This is the view of Deng. It may not always be perfect.
*****
Congratulations to Clark officials for the expansion of DMIA passenger terminal.
Last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was more than delighted to see another achievement at the Clark airport that was named after his father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal.
The project was a result of a collaborative effort between CDC, CIAC and even the SCAD and BCDA. Of course in the limelight would be CIAC and CDC top honcho Chichos Luciano and Levy Laus, respectively.
Mr. Luciano is just beaming with brilliant plans for the airport while Mr. Laus remains focused on improving on the viability of Clark in general as an investment site.
Definitely not to be outdone is the leadership and motivation lent by Secretary Edgardo D. Pamintuan who is always at the forefront of achieving the vision of PGMA for Clark and Subic to become mega logistics hub.
*****
With Secretary Pamintuan and the rest of Clark officials, BCDA executives led by its president Narciso Abaya and general manager Robert Gervacio should also take a bow with the opening of SCTEX.
Opened toll-free on two occasions in the last four weeks, SCTEX alone sufficiently fills in the serving of "kadwang apag" of President Arroyo. It is a testament to government's commitment in making people's lives better through a reliable infrastructure that would help ensure not only a safe travel but also a more decent livelihood.
At this early, I am already hearing great reviews about the road-from ordinary citizens, the media, and the powers that be.
While the completion of Clark interchanges are eagerly being awaited, SCAD and BCDA should take pride in making the people feel that the government is really dead serious in creating roads -- literal and figurative -- to progress.
