Thursday, May 15, 2008 Flores welcomes Panlilio to Minalin
MINALIN -- In a display of goodwill, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio and Mayor Edgar Flores met here during the formal distribution of barangay multipurpose cabs (multi-cabs) to barangay officials here last Wednesday.
Flores welcomed Panlilio and even toured the priest-turned-governor at the Municipal Hall compound.
The two officials had previous disagreements resulting from various issues in the town, one of which was the alleged illegal quarrying. The mayor earlier led a rally in front of the Capitol with some Minalin residents to air their grievances and concerns.
Panlilio and Flores signed and distributed the deeds of donation to 15 barangays for the multi-cabs presently being used by local barangay officials for their jurisdictions.
The multi-cabs were distributed during the administration of former Pampanga governor Mark Lapid through Senator Lito Lapid’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (Pdaf).
However, the vehicles have no proper documentation although already being used for three years now by barangay beneficiaries. The lack of proper documentation results in a problem in terms of who would shoulder the maintenance of the vehicles and their registration expenses.
Most of the multi-cabs could not be registered with the Land Transportation Office for lack of proper documentation.
Fifteen barangay leaders attended the distribution of the deeds of donation.
According to Mel Pingul, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, the timely move of the Capitol would relieve them of their problems in the maintenance of the vehicles.
Panlilio, on the other hand, said the vehicles would have a standing fund for repairs that the barangay officials could use.
Asked about his visit here, Panlilio said he was happy and has always extended “the communication line” to Flores.
Meanwhile, Flores said what happened between him and the governor “is only water under the bridge” now.
Panlilio, who is barely 11 months in service, hails from this town. The visit to the Minalin Municipal Hall was his first since he became governor.
The province’s chief executive also promised to look into the concerns of barangay officials during the consultation held after the distribution of the vehicles’ documents. (IOF)
