Sunday, August 08, 2004 Hortaleza: Arcinue: Starting on the Right Foot By Rhee Fer Hortaleza Rhee-marks
SUAL hizzoner John Rodney V. Arcinue has donated his salary as mayor to fund Sual town's scholars. Sual-alamat po, John!
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'US disowns RP from coalition' -- headline. I wonder who will likewise disown us due to corruption!
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A certain jueteng collector was discovered to be also a shabu courier. Best of both worlds, eh? That chap must believe in the dictum that two negatives equals one positive!
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'Men to blame for baby boom' - newshead. One wag yelled: "It's not the men; it's the women and the semen!"
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Since 1986, 54 Filipino journalists have been killed in various parts of the country. That's sad. But the sadder thing is that the vinegar journalists or instant journalists seemingly do not suffer the same fate.
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'Gov't payroll triples in 10 years' - newshead. But of course! The number of government employees - whether 'ghosts' or consultants or insultants-had increased tenfold, according to some quarters!
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The Vatican has denounced feminism, saying it was trying to blur differences between men and a father. Does that mean that since the time of Eve and up to now, pahamak talaga ang babae? Will the women take that lying down? (And I don't mean literally, ha?)
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I do not mean or intend to underestimate the capabilities of the other contenders for the secretary of the sangguniang panlalawigan. I am certain that all of them are deemed fit for the position. But there are certain arguments that go in favor of one of them: Verna Nave Perez, a lady lawyer.
Of course, foremost is her knowledge of the law. Well, Verna has shown that she knows her law, of course; and a lawyer decidedly has an edge in the field of legislation. Legislation, of course, is the SP's task! A secretary should understand the legal rudiments of matters that are discussed.
Likewise, she should have a keen background on the art of writing. Not just anybody could write or understand writing methods. As far as I know, Verna excelled in writing during her high school and college days, being a known writing leader as far as campus journalism is concerned. This should go well in her relations with various media outlets.
It is imperative for the secretary to have pleasant or cordial relations with the media. How a secretary treats mediafolk will reflect on the SP's attitude towards the media. The amiable Verna is no stranger to media relations. In fact, her parents - former Education Regional Director Venancio R. Nava and incumbent Pangasinan I Schools Superintendent Erlinda T. Nava - are media- friendly, thus earning high marks for their respective offices in the eyes of mediamen.
Too, a secretary should recognize the importance of having good relations with the leaders of various communities and other officials. A snob, a skeptic, a temperamental secretary, or one who possesses a very high degree of pride should not hold the position.
In these aspects, I believe that Verna has the edge.
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While some Sual folk may admittedly be quite skeptical about the true capability of their young mayor, John Rodney v. Arcinue, there is every reason to believe that Arcinue can be the mayor whom Sual had sought for so long.
It appears that Arcinue has started on the right foot when he changed the format of the mayor's office - making it easier for Sual residents or visitors to get in touch with the mayor. He had the rooms, tables and chairs rearranged for faster access by his constituents to him.
What gladdens Sual folk principally, however, is Arcinue's vow to be a visible mayor. His proud father, businessman Roberto 'Bing' Ll. Arcinue, said that his son is determined to be present in the mayor's office regularly on office days from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except when he has other official tasks outside the confines of his office.
All these despite the fact that when John assumed office, he was shocked to find out that the office of the municipal mayor had no budget at all because his predecessor apparently opted to engineer a mayor's office budget that lasted only until June 30! Too, he reached a telephone debt amounting to some P114, 000 for the office. He had to get a computer from another office so that his office could at least function creditably.
Slowly, he has tried to solve these predicaments.
Lately, he has seen fit to donate his salary as mayor to fund the town's scholarship program for deserving Sual youngsters.
He, of course, has his eyes set on investors who are keen on land development and livelihood thrusts. All told, he hopes to make his mark in bringing Sual to more progressive stages in the future.
And when he succeeds, who knows? He may even invite Viktoria E. Agbayani to compose a theme song for the coastal and mountainous town!
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