Senior citizens ask mayor to observe law on budget share

ARAYAT - Officials of the Federation of the Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FESCAP) Arayat chapter expressed hope yesterday that the new administration in the municipal government will observe the law involving budgetary requirement to their group.

Hector Gamboa, FESCAP president said that for so long, they had been deprived of their right under law involving that one percent budget share from the internal revenue allotment of the municipality.

"Matagal na nilang hindi ibinibigay ang pondo ng senior citizens. Ang hinihingi lang namin ay kung ano ang nasa batas ay iyong ang ibigay nila sa amin," he added.

Gamboa claimed that there were about 4,000 active members of FESCAP which according to them were deprived of the right to just share in government budget.

However, under the leadership of new Mayor Emmanuel "Bon" Alejandrino, the senior citizens are now

confident that they can get whatever is due to them.

Gloria Manalang, FESCAP member stated that the new mayor even before he got elected as such has assured them that he will the one percent share of the group.

This was confirmed by Mayor Alejandrino to Sun Star Pampanga during interview.

"Ibibigay lang natin kung ano ang para sa kanila," he ended.

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Arayat new mayor to push for peace initiative

ARAYAT - The former “supremo” of the so-called Hukbong Mapagpalayang Bayan and now newly elected mayor of this town is planning to hold a municipal wide peace initiative to put an end on a series of killings and other criminalities  perpetrated in various localities here.

Mayor Emmanuel Bonifacio “Bon” Alejandrino in an interview over the weekends disclosed that he would reach out various armed groups including concerned non-government organizations to come up with the development plan anchored on common desire to achieve development by transforming the town into a peace loving community.

"Uupuan natin ang lahat ng grupo na may hawak na baril. Tatanungin natin sila kung ano talaga ang pakay nila dito sa ating bayan. Pakikiusapan natin sila na tumulong na lamang sila sa pagsasaayos ng katahimikan dito sa Arayat. Kung ayaw naman nilang sumama sa pagkilos ay kailangan muna nilang umalis dito," he told Sun Star Pampanga.

Alejandrino explained that investment will not come in Arayat if the problem on peace and order will remain unsolved.

He stated  that the investors are first interested in knowing whether the local government unit can protect their investment including their people.

"Nang malaman ng mga mamumuhunan na tayo ang nanalong mayor, mayroon ng nagpasabi na gusto na nila pumasok dito para maglagak ng puhunan pero siyempre kailangan muna nating ayusin ang peace and order situation natin," the newly elected mayor stressed.

However, Alejandrino admitted that moving various armed groups into common agenda is a big challenge as it would require strong leadership to encourage them to  lay down arms and cooperate instead in making the town a peace loving place.

But still, he is optimistic that development and big investments will their way in Arayat town in due time with the support local leaders, residents and other stakeholders.

Alejandrino is a well-known “Robin Hood” of Arayat and nearby municipalities who silently helping out people from all walks of life.

New mayor wants insurance for fishponds

MASANTOL - The newly elected local chief executive in this town said  that he would asked the fishpond operators to consider obtaining an insurance on their businesses.

Dan Guintu, Liberal Part bet got an overwhelming support from the electorate after he bested Paul Flores brother of incumbent mayor Peter.

"Sikapin natin magkaroon ng insurance ang ating mga fishponds para kahit na bumaha ay hindi naman totally wash out ang puhunan ng ating mga kababayan," he added.

Guinto noted that this industry involves huge  amount of money before one operate or run the business.

With this, he stated insurance coverage for the same is a necessity to protect investment and ensure livelihood  for the residents whose main source of income is dependent on the industry.

"Plano din nating mamigay ng mga fingerlings para naman makabawi ang ating mga kababayan sa nagdaang pagkalugi," he stressed.

Group urges COA to speed up investigation on Malampaya fund scam

MASANTOL - Members of the Masantol eastern coastal communities (MECC) yesterday urged the Commission on Audit to speed up the investigation on Malampaya fund scam concerning  multi-million pesos worth of ghost project intended for the farmers here.

Former Vice Mayor Marcelo Lacap , also a  MECC member said their innocence had been taken advantage by some individuals who successfully enrich themselves by facilitating the release of some P89.2 million at the expense of the supposed beneficiaries in the localities.

"Hinihintay lang namin ang report ng Commission on Audit tungkol sa bagay na ito. Kapag napatunayan namin na mayroong nakinabang dito sa Masantol ay uusigin natin sila," He told Sun Star Pampanga in an interview.

Lacap explained that at the very beginning the project is already deceitful because since 1980 there are no more farmers in the municipality as farmlands were converted into fishponds.

"Nagtataka kami bakit napili ang bayan ng Masantol na bigyan ng agricultural kit na ganito pa kalaki ang halaga samantalang wala na pong farmers sa amin," he added.

Reports have it the some 2,494 residents were given agricultural kits amounting to at least P35,781 each from the government’s share of royalties from the Malampaya gas project in Palawan.

Lacap also revealed to Sun Star Pampanga that before the campaign period,  a former high ranking official from the Department Agrarian Reform sent an immisary offering P1-million as campaign fund provided he would no longer talk about Malampaya fund scam.

"Dala na nila noon yung isang milyon. Tinignan kupa nga kasi hindi pa ako nakakakita ng ganong kalaking halaga at bibigyan pa daw nila ako ng karagdagan sa kampanya basta  huwag na lang akong mag ingay. Hindi ko po ito tinanggap," the former vice mayor narrated.

Another resident here noted that the listed beneficiaries are not even farmers some of whom do not even own  a small piece of land.

"Ang mga pangalan ng mga nakalista ay hindi totoo. Ang iba minor de edad pa, mayroon pa ngang patay ay may problema sa pag iisip," a resident here who requested not to be named stated.

Meanwhile, MECC members are hoping that after the COA's investigation, their names will be cleared from the Malampaya fund scam.

Flores stages successful political comeback

MINALIN - Former Mayor Edgar Flores has made a successful political comeback after he successfully defeated incumbent Mayor Arturo Naguit in May 13 midterm elections.

As this developed, Flores bared that first in his list of priorities after having sworn into office next month is to come up with a comprehensive initiative to address the flooding problem in the locality.

"Ang una nating gagawin ay makikipag ugnayan muna tayo sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) tungkol sa status ng dike sa ating bayan para makapaghanda tayo anumang pwedi pang mangyari," he said.

Flores noted that many of the  residents in different barangays here were affected by unprecedented flooding  leaving their houses and properties submerged to floodwater.

He noted that under his watch, the municipality will not be caught unprepared for any untoward incidents specially during rainy season.

The comebacking mayor also stated that next in list of priorities is focus on basic services to the people.

He added that the municipal government will a government responsive to the needs of its people.

Based on the partial unofficial tally as of yesterday, Flores won against Naguit as he garnered  9,315 votes  compared to 8,351 of the latter.

Santiago

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – City Vice Mayor Edwin “Edsa” Santiago of Liberal Party (LP) and Kambilan was officially proclaimed on Tuesday by the City Board of Canvassers as the new mayor of this city. 

Edsa defeated his  lone rival former city mayor Reynaldo Aquino with 56, 901 votes or 56.60 percent, while city councilor Jimmy Lazatin, under Vice President Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) also won by 48 percent with 38,147 votes against his two opponents, Board Member Rolly Macalino and city councilor Renato “Ato” Agustin. “My job is to continue, and to complete the various programs for the city’s development,” he said. (Franco Regala)

Reelected mayor warns politicians involve in massive harassment

SAN SIMON- Reelected Mayor Leonora Capule-Wong recently warned losing candidates who were allegedly responsible for  spreading terror and massive harassment during the campaign period of appropriate action to hold them accountable for their illegal.

"Yung mga taong may kinalaman sa nangyaring massive harassment sa ating mga botante ay kailangan silang managot. Paaalisin natin dito ang mga bad elements para umunlad ang ating bayan," Wong said.

The lady mayor shared that of the 30,000 registered voters in this town, only more than 25,000 residents casted their votes as they had been threatened.

"Mahigit na anim na libo ang hindi bumoto dahil tinakot sila. Nakarating ito sa ating governor kaya nalungkot siya dahil ipinagkait ang karapatan ng ating mga kababayan na bumoto," she added.

Wong however noted that despite the reported massive harrasment, she still managed to win the election which according to her is a proof of satisfaction on her  accomplishments by her constituents.

"Pero kahit na ganoon pa man ang kanilang ginawa ay nanalo pa rin tayo sa election," she stated.

Wong got some 13,132 votes. She defeated her political nemesis Manuel Bondoc.

Meanwhile, Maria Lourdes Alfaro, the municipal  board of canvasser chair on Wednesday led the proclamation of Wong along with the elected Vice Mayor Honorato Almario and municipal councilors.