MAGALANG town is one aspiring for economic recognition among the towns in Pampanga. It is situated at the fringes of neighboring cities of Mabalacat, Angeles and San Fernando, so, it would not be far fetched that it would aspire to become a city someday, subject to fulfilling the requirements of being a city: area, income and population.
Its leadership has been passed from traditional executives, to a lady mayor recently and back to a former mayor. Malou Paras Lacson was succeeded by comebacking local chief executive Romy Feliciano Pecson, who reportedly won by a slim margin.
Now the spadework continues with Mayor Romy at the helm and he sees the prospects of making Magalang economically significant by continuing on the good points of his predecessor and moving on with his forward-looking agenda highlighted by an institutionalized healthcare program and different sectoral initiatives.
An article by former mayor Pastor Z. Guiao is a virtual review of Mayor Lacson's performance, He zeroes in on the tangible projects the lady mayor has accomplished for a relatively short period of time compared to what her predecessors had done during their respective terms.
Of course, there was the usual musings about her defeat to former mayor Pecson, via a slim margin, that the Magalang voters had given the latter.
It is about time that Mayor Pecson opened up his area to investors, both domestic and foreign, to shore up the image and revenues of his town.
As the local chief executive, he should broaden his sights on the town's further development and make productive alliances with the Sangguniang Bayan members composed of: Koko Gonzales, who is now acting vice mayor in the absence of vice mayor Norman Lacson, now on leave in the US, Eller Pecson, Joel Cruz, Rodolfo Gonzales, Sr., Ricardo David, Ruben 'Popoy' Miranda, Jr., Nelson Dizon and Harry Zemel.
Ruel Dayrit, known as Mr. Swabe and the mayor's Man Friday, gave me the names of the foregoing councilors.
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Over at Angeles City, councilors Joseph “PG” Ponce, chair of the SP committee on human rights, Jesus “Jay” Sangil and Atty. Arvin “Pogs” Suller uncovered “tales of horrors” committed by some personnel of the City Social Welfare and Development Office via child abuse and sexual molestation.
These are grave offenses and should be investigated thoroughly by the zealous aldermen.
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The Fiesta Communities Tabun Mabalacat City Homeowners association led by president Kaye Rosel Hernandez and the association's board of directors and other officers, including this writer, met with barangay officers headed by punong barangay Danilo de Leon, the barangay treasurer and secretary to discuss important matters like the drainage status, flood prevention measures and plans along the main road going to Fiesta Communities Tabun entrance.
Captain de Leon announced his meetings with Congressman Jon Lazatin who promised to provide assistance to Barangay Tabun. Others pressing matters like the presence of Bantay Bayan at designated hours were also taken up.
The association vows to maintain close and open dialogues and communication lines with the barangay officials to solve common problems.