Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Tulabut: Roads, CDC, CCTV, Piggeries By Noel G. Tulabut Palm Notes
I CANNOT agree any better with the call made by Chairman Rene Romero of the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) to build better and stronger roads, ones that can withstand heavy a pounding from cargo trucks.
There were only few days of rains in the past week, yet highways - even national roads - had already become like the moon's surface. Some are littered with potholes while some resembles war-torn areas where some bombs have been dropped and had caused deep craters.
Romero, a staunch advocate of infrastructure development, said asphalt overlay is a common repair work done by the DPWH and other government agencies. But this technology is just a waste of taxpayers' money, he said, because it is very temporary.
Romero said asphalt might be cheaper and easier to process but in the long run it is more costly than concrete because it is only usable within six months to one year.
The solution? Roads made of solid concrete, says Romero who also heads the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And he makes a lot of sense as infrastructure support is very vital in keeping our economy moving forward.
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Participative management. This would be the guiding principle of newly-appointed Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Benigno N. Ricafort in making sure that the government body gets to fulfill more of its mandate during his watch.
Ricafort, who replaced businessman Levy Laus, stressed that participative management is enjoining "full cooperation and support" of all Clark stakeholders noting that this will be his trademark for the Clark Freeport.
With this, he is now doing the rounds, taking in some inputs from locators, employees, directors, LGUs, NGOs - the broad spectrum - as he carefully outlines mutually beneficial programs and projects for Clark and the local environs.
This is truly distinctive, truly democratic and truly an outstanding approach in handling the affairs of Clark and in getting things done. He is shunning flashes of cameras on pleasantries arising from callers at his office. He would rather spend his time jotting down some notes from all the inputs he is gathering.
To further achieve participative management, Ricafort said he will promote the principle of networking among CDC employees and officials "to create a greater community image for the Clark Freeport."
According to Ricafort, he will still continue Laus's plans and programs for Clark, including other "worthwhile" projects of past CDC presidents. He assured that he will push for the continuation of past projects that have spurred development inside the Clark Freeport.
"I am not here to outdo whatever the other past (CDC) presidents have done. I am just here to get things done," said Ricafort before his first meeting with CDC VPs and Managers.
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I should make clear here that the move to have close circuit television in banks, pawnshops, moneychangers, malls and other commercial establishments was initiated last year by City Councilor Jesus "Jay" Sangil.
The move is only one of the many initiatives of Sangil who topped his colleagues with most number of resolutions, ordinances and similar rulings in the Angeles City Council. And that is for the record!
The CCTV Ordinance was passed by the City Council as early as January this year, way before the celebrated bank robbery case cum massacre in one of the RCBC branches in Laguna.
Prior to its passage, Sangil even went the extra mile in expounding before the member-banks of Angeles City Bankers Association what the ordinance was all about.
CCTVs are good deterrents against theft, robbery and other crimes. This is one pro-active move by Sangil and we are just glad that City executives want this ordinance fully implemented.
The ordinance states that all banks, moneychangers, pawnshops, malls, supermarkets and other similar establishments with capitalization of more than P500,000 are required to install CCTV monitors within a period one year.
Good work honorable Sangil.
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The Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) and Kilusan Kontra Amoy (KKK) had put off - for now - a huge rally it was gonna stage last August 4 against Porac piggeries that continue to emit foul odors in said town and neighbor Angeles City.
Ruperto Cruz, PGKM chairman, was gentleman enough to call off the rally for now on one condition: that Porac Town Council must pass a resolution that calls for the relocation within one year of 12 "piggery-pollutants" from Sta. Cruz, Porac.
I think that is a fair deal. Porac and Angeles City residents had suffered enough from foul smell and other pollution caused by these piggeries.
One year and one year only! Apung Perto had made this clear. If town officials are thinking of reneging on the gentlemen's agreement, they better think twice and think well.
Apung Perto means what he said. When he finally gives the go signal for the rally, it will have lashing impact on the town and its officials.
Cruz said they received reports that the Porac officials are considering a period of three to five years for the relocation, which he said is contrary to the initial agreement of the Sangguniang Bayan and the PGKM, Krusada Kontra Amoy and other concerned residents who have been complaining of the foul smell and effluents discharged by the said piggeries.
"During our initial meeting with the municipal councilors, they have agreed to our terms that the relocation is only for one-year. They must not bargain with the piggery owners. We will not allow any extension for these piggeries or else we will push through with our massive rallies. We will also call for recall of these officials if needed. They must respect our gentlemen's agreement," Cruz said.
