FAILURE of intelligence, like what hit San Luis Mayor Asiong Macapagal et al, in the outbreak of the recent bird flu in two barangays caused the massive spread of the virus in many areas.
It appears that as early as June this year or weeks earlier, poultry raisers in San Luis had kept from public knowledge the deadly pest which had been killing hens by the hundreds.
Poultry raisers must be protected in their multi-million peso investment by local officials who kept silent by not reporting the massive decimation of layers and broilers.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has been remiss in its duty to investigate Mayor Asiong for his gross neglect to report the disease to health and animal authorities on time. It is not improbable that since June when the bird flu has started afflicting San Luis poultry products, we, the clueless consumers, not excepting Board Members, were eating contaminated poultry.
It was only in early August when the bird pest became an epidemic, beyond the capability of San Luis officials to keep the lid on the secret when authorities panicked to quell the bird flu.
The Provincial Board should not ignore this basic fault of Mayor Macapagal and his neglect to monitor and forthwith report the plague in its incipiency. Future failure in intelligence by LGU executives in a developing or imminent disaster in their town should be punished.
Our honorable members of the Sanggunian should probe the San Luis incident which appears to be a criminal concealment.
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Many barrio folk especially the unschooled attribute the Japanese encephalitis disease now inexplicably prevalent in Pampanga, to sex workers in Japan. It has not been proven that the fatalities of the disease were the kin of women known as Japayukis. But the poor folk who do not understand virology have an understanding of genetics. “Nasa dugo na ‘yan ,” (it is in the blood)) they attribute the killer virus to our Japayukis. “kung galing sa Hapon ang sakit, sinong nagdala sa atin?”
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The Lapid camp is nettled by my failure to include his name from the list of probable aspirants for A ngeles M ayor. Lapid raned 2nd placer in the last election and he thinks he can be No. 1 next contest. He disappointed a lot Angelenos by not obliging with requests by rally attendees to perform stunts like somersaults, flying kick, and Ben Tumbling tricks. But he was amazing with the quick draw with a .45 caliber, making him a good material for riding-in-tandem assignments.
Balibago Kapitan Tony Mamac and former Vice Mayor Vicky Cabigting cannot be discounted from “mayorables.” This early aspirants are looking for their supporting cast while trying to forge alliances. I heard one ‘mayorable' is courting city First Lady, the remarkable Miniang, to let her favorite councilor-son to run for Vice Mayor.