Pangan: The Best Gauge

June 3, 2011

PERFORMANCE in local governance is measured in one way by the results of operations in any given period, be it fiscal or calendar year, vis-à-vis the targets set beforehand.
Local chief executives are tasked by law to oversee their respective units and are normally guided by budget parameters and directives from their higher-ups.
Other more resourceful executives source out funds from the outside, including senators and congressmen who have budget allocations for, say, infrastructure and other projects. Most often than not, the 20% development fund of municipalities (and cities) are earmarked for delivery of basic services and, come accounting time, not much is left for infra.
In the case of Angeles City, Mayor Edgardo “Edpam” D. Pamintuan occasionally goes to Manila to approach lawmaker friends and present to them project plans for possible funding and implementation. Same is true with Mabalacat Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales who continues to convince investors to put in funds to jumpstart the town’s newly identified central business district (CBD) on the northern part of the municipality, bordering Xevera, now considered a landmark and which CBD comprises Barangays Tabun, Cacutud, Atlu Bola, Sta. Maria, Paralayunan and Bundagul. I am aware that this area had already been classified as industrial zone and so, investors need not worry about the total land area’s conversion from its original agricultural usage.
These two executives are good performers in their own right and stage and they produce best results: manageable solid waste disposal, considerable peace and order situation, liquidation of outstanding obligations, statutory or otherwise and a cooperative (with few exceptions, which include their adversaries) and productive citizenry.
Born leaders both, EdPam and Boking exhibit fine leadership and managerial skills and they walk the talk. They do what they preach, as the saying goes, and strive to attain their respective dreams, nay, plans for their turf.
Remember EdPam saying that he inherited huge problems from his successor? Now, he confidently claims that operations in the City Hall are back to “normal”. We soundly agree.
It was in 1995 when Mayor Boking first conceived the idea of initiating the cityhood drive for Mabalacat. Undeterred by a much smaller annual average income when he assumed office, the very resourceful executive parlayed the available resources and manpower complement into valuable components of a first-class municipality. The income bracket increased annually, more infra projects such as farm-to-market roads were built (documents show this, mind), school buildings were constructed and the morale of the Mabalaqueños has been bolstered considerably.
Fast forward to 2007-2010. This period saw the big leap in income emanating from recurring sources, business taxes climbed significantly, basic services were delivered adequately and regularly and the spirit of oneness and bayanihan of Mabalaqueños have revved up most loudly. The rest, as they say, in readings, is history. Again, we need to agree.
In due time, despite constant negative comments from detractors, the town of Mabalacat will finally be recognized as a component city. This timeframe is not that distant, as I’ve learned from Municipal Administrator Rosan Paquia that House Bill No. 2509 has passed through second reading and the rest casually follows, like the plenary. Documents speak for themselves.
Hopefully, after passing the cursory review by the Senate, the cityhood bill will sail through and formally caps the drive so long shepherded by Mayor Boking and his technical working group. Another dream coming through and true.
The beautiful baby (Mabalacat City) will be born and the proud father, beaming wide is Mayor Boking. Of course, standing astride him is the bill’s main sponsor and lolo, the durable Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” F. Lazatin, other House committee members who deliberated on the bill, the technical working group which includes this writer and the people of Mabalacat. Remember the wild story of several men who impregnated a woman and abandoned her? When the baby was born beautiful and steady, each one of them claims it to be his own. Ha, ha. Pardon the irreverent analogy, but it may be possible.
When one puts his best efforts on something he desires to achieve, works dedicatedly on the plan, the work gets done. In any undertaking, one needs to focus on it and finish it on time.
Finally, let me share this with you: the man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid -Confucius.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2011/06/02/pangan-best-gauge-159004