Friday, November 14, 2008 Pangan: Price that sensitivity By Benjie Pangan At Close Range
THERE are government officials who prefer the public to know firsthand their activities, but there are those who'd rather be silent about their accomplishments and let the public know the results later on.
To the latter group belongs Angeles City Mayor Francis "Blueboy" L. Nepomuceno and I am convinced that he is sensitive to public clamor, especially so from the marginalized sector and even those from the not-so-poor ranks.
Proof? He ordered his Public Transport and Regulatory Office to strictly enforce an ordinance regulating trike fares being charged by tricycle drivers. And rightly so, because these petty tyrants charge exorbitant fares.
The fare matrix does not matter to them since they follow their own improvised table, so, woe to the hapless passenger especially during rush hours.
Backed by City Ordinance No. 250, series of 2008, Mayor Blue wants strict implementation of the ordinance, along with the minimum fare of P20 for the first kilometer and an additional P5 per succeeding kilometer. For special trips, the same minimum fare of P20 for the first kilometer will be charged, an additional P20 for the second kilometer and P10 for the third and succeeding kilometers.
The question is: maipatutupad ba ito ng mga enforcers? What about the petty tyrants? Would they follow the ordinance to the letter? 'Di bale na yung nagcheck in o magtse check in sa hotel, walang reklamo sa pasahe? Why? Kasi, nagtatago at nagmamadali.
I personally appreciate the City Ordinance and the efforts of Mayor Blueboy to have it earnestly implemented, sana.
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Marvel at the "corporate" headquarters of the Mabalacat Clark extension office at 2081 Cardinal Santos Street, Clark Freeport Zone.
It is now functional though the formal opening is tentatively set for November 25 and Guy (spelled G.I.E.) Hilbero, the town's tourism guy, is its first occupant and he made sure of that.
Guy, the GIE guy, has his office adorned with history memoirs, mainly US memorabilia and relics, and relishes his being the head of this extension office which can compete with the best corporate offices in style and equipment. Sana wag lang tumulo ang bubong kagaya ng mga nagawa na ni Jess Dungca! Guy, by the way, is a reserve officer (a first lieutenant at that) with the US Cavalry.
Mabalacat first. With this new edifice as backdrop and the new municipal hall in Barangay Tabun opening very soon, courtesy of Globe Asiatique's Delfin Lee, Mayor Boking has all the reasons to be enthusiastic if not ecstatic over the encouraging developments in his town. What does Mayor Boking, who celebrates his 58th birthday on November 15th, mean or intend to put across with this new slogan?
I'll keep you guessing muna, ladies and gentlemen.
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First in IT mobility in the water service industry. There is no arguing that Mabalacat Water District, under the able and innovative leadership of GM Atty. Francis Atencio Dimaliwat is first among its peers to seek relief in IT, this time with the ambitious GIS or Geographic Information System project.
Already a pioneer among water providers in terms of being a website addressee way back in 2003, MWD now embarks on the establishment of the GIS, a state-of-the-art information system that would enhance the efficiency and accuracy of data retrieval, mapping and analysis. It also aims to improve the planning capabilities and day-to-day decision-making process on various tasks and operational needs.
Another optimum first for MWD. In a letter dated October 16, 2008 of the Local Water Utilities Administration or LWUA Administrator Orlando C. Honrade to Michael Samuel, President of Nobel Systems based in San Bernardino, California, it was stated that MWD was chosen, out of 7 aspirants, as a recipient for the conduct of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Technology Application for Non-revenue Reduction Project.
Atty. Francis pointed out that the selection process involved data availability, data formats, staff availability, skill levels and other factors identified by Nobel to ensure the success of the pilot exercise. Who says MWD is behind its peers on IT?
Atty. Francis had his birthday bash last November 8 at Barangay Camachiles. On hand to greet him were his relatives, friends and companero, Normandick de Guzman, a good law practitioner and a very approachable fellow.
The day before, he feted his officers and staff also in Barangay Camachiles. Kudos to Engr. Bungay and Norma Nicolas for topping the LSP exams given for Masteral degree aspirants.
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Hausland Development Corporation, the developer of Timog Park Homes, Metro Clark Homes, Metro Clark Executive Villas and, of late, Fiesta Community in Manibaug, Porac, Pampanga continues to provide modest income earners the opportunity to own houses for themselves and their families, and at reasonable prices and with complete support and assistance by its marketing group to Pag-ibig applicants.
