I DON’T think it was a mere stumble.
Finding a news account in this paper about 3rd District Board Member Rosve Henson was not a surprise at all. Much more see his photo handing out vegetables for various community pantries. That was a given.
In the short time that I have known him, the man’s second nature has always been being pro-people. Not to mention, the qualities that follow such -- down to earth, approachable, wary and sensitive to people’s plight.
These, perhaps why he minds even the community pantries. Trivial to some, these sources of daily bread, seem to have taken a special attention of Henson. After all, the government may no longer sustain providing food, medicines, and even livelihood to countless many who have been badly affected by the pandemic.
I have had the chance to work with Henson as liaison officer to the Metro Clark Advisory Council of Nanay Lilia Pineda when she was Governor. I was then the head of the Secretariat for the Council. In some meetings and over cup of coffee, he would speak of sensible ideas and worthwhile programs and projects. While very articulate (another quality that I always admire of him), he would not monopolize discussions.
Another outstanding attribute of Henson is how he has provided guidance and counsel to Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo. The two have spent time together in the Provincial Board and they have gotten along well.
They shared the basic principles of true public service. Ones that always consider prudent public spending, wise fiscal management and above all making taxes work for people. Accountability was the name of the game for them both. We all have seen and heard how Garbo made use of city coffers to buy ambulances, garbage trucks, for an example.
In some social media posts of the Mabalacat City, Henson once commented “pwede naman pala” (it is doable). Of course from the start he knew it has always been doable. That remark of his way of saying “you are in good hands” (people of Mabalacat). Mabalacat City is now the subject of envy of other 21 municipalities of Pampanga as it even donates ambulances and other vehicles.
With such mindset and intent to make taxpayers’ money work, the people of City San Fernando are assured of an ideal, noble and conscionable leader in Henson should he decide to pursue the mayorship.
The man is brimming with ideas. And they go beyond social services. Foremost of which are new development paradigms which also factor in traffic, environment care and other social ills.
While many are saying that it is about time for him to get his own kingdom (I am not really sure why he has always settled for second fiddles in the past), I dare say instead that the city should get a rightful king.
Henson, he is more than just doable.
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If there is one truly amazing feat in public works and infrastructure amidst the pandemic, this has got to be the unceasing improvements and new construction projects by the NLEX Corporation (NLEX Corp).
A company under the MVP Group, NLEX Corp with total backing from Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, seem to be unrelenting and totally bent on fulfilling its commitment to finish vital undertakings such as roads and bridges.
It is actually more than just that commitment. It is the over arching goal to contribute even more to nation building that ultimately redound to better services, better economy and better lives. Having good, dependable roads (and other utilities such as internet) serve as avenues to faster delivery of goods and services.
NLEX Corp continues with the construction of major infrastructure projects despite community quarantine restrictions. These include the 8-kilometer NLEX Connector and the upgrade of the 5-kilometer Candaba Viaduct, as well as other safety repairs and bridge rehabilitation.
Upgrades on the Candaba Viaduct are being made to maintain its long-term serviceability and ensure the safety and driving comfort of motorists. The current upgrade, which is targeted for completion by May this year, involves the replacement of the link slabs on the Manila-bound portion of the bridge. To date, the project is already 92 percent complete as 23 out of the 25 link slabs have been replaced.
Construction on the first 5-kilometer of the NLEX Connector or the Caloocan-España section is continuing, with its progress standing at 32 percent. This latest Metro Manila elevated expressway is being built over the existing right-of-way (ROW) of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) between the Caloocan Interchange along C3 Road/5th Ave. and España Blvd. in Sampaloc, Manila. Targeted for completion by the end of the year, the section will have on and off ramps in España and will make NLEX accessible from the University Belt area.
The next 3-kilometer section -- also within the PNR ROW -- between España Blvd. and the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila is expected to begin construction within the second quarter of the year.