31 August 2005
OPINION: BSL’s ‘anti’ stand: Out of conviction or dissatisfaction
The PEN SPEAKS
By Danny O. Sagun
"IPASADIYOS ko na l;ang ang kanilang ganti."
Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim made this remark, or words to that effect, on the possible adverse effects of his calling on President Arroyo to step down to save the country from further political turmoil. He said he was firm in his stand and ready to face any reprisal that may come as a result of his unwavering position.
The mayor, we suspect, has been dismayed by the very slow bureaucratic grind particularly on fund releases, which he, even way back when he was yet a full-time businessman, had hated so much. He had a big vision for his city, one that will rival the big ones like Manila, Cebu or Davao. If he was able to make his family business grow in just a decade or two, he thought he could do it for the city. Alas, his dream now appears to have been snagged.
Big projects supposed to lift Dagupan ahead of the others like the planned bangus processing plant in Bonuan is yet to be realized, if it could be realized at all. Funding is the biggest problem.
The city, thru the generous lending assistance of the Land Bank, got to see its mall-like modern market. The timing might have been bad however as seen in the economic activity going on at the second floor. Just take note of the small number of people hanging around there, hardly buying anything, and the many stalls that have already closed due to low daily sales.
Aggressive advertising has been done but of little effect. Obviously, there is something lacking in that market that could attract mall-goers. Well, the two malls beside it – CSI and Magic – remain bullish in their business despite the prevailing economic crunch. Which gives rise therefore to some fears among the present occupants that the market may in the end fall into private hands despite assurances from the city government that this would not happen.
Back to that unimplemented bangus processing plant project, the mayor has squarely blamed the Department of Agriculture for dragging its feet on it. Told by the President to coordinate with the DA for the release of the counterpart fund from the national government, he obediently did so. “Pinaiikot-ikot tayo,” he said in frustration.
“Nagsawa na rin ako sa kapa-followup,” he added.
Now we wonder. Was the local executive prompted to give up on the President over her apparent failure to make good her word on the bangus plant? He was not an original GMA fan. He might have only supported her due to party affiliation and perhaps because of FVR. He was even accused by some quarters in the Lakas that he was pro-FPJ in the last elections, which charge he strongly denied.
Whatever, the mayor, a businessman by nature or profession, must have been really so discouraged by the bureaucratic red tape, thus he took the path of the anti-GMA forces. In a way, GMA might also be partly blamed for practically leaving BSL to fend for himself after so grandly announcing to Dagupenos her help in the highly-ambitious bangus processing plant. BSL believes in his heart GMA could have pushed for the release of funds, if she really intended to help Dagupenos realize their dream – and live their pride.
By Danny O. Sagun
"IPASADIYOS ko na l;ang ang kanilang ganti."
Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim made this remark, or words to that effect, on the possible adverse effects of his calling on President Arroyo to step down to save the country from further political turmoil. He said he was firm in his stand and ready to face any reprisal that may come as a result of his unwavering position.
The mayor, we suspect, has been dismayed by the very slow bureaucratic grind particularly on fund releases, which he, even way back when he was yet a full-time businessman, had hated so much. He had a big vision for his city, one that will rival the big ones like Manila, Cebu or Davao. If he was able to make his family business grow in just a decade or two, he thought he could do it for the city. Alas, his dream now appears to have been snagged.
Big projects supposed to lift Dagupan ahead of the others like the planned bangus processing plant in Bonuan is yet to be realized, if it could be realized at all. Funding is the biggest problem.
The city, thru the generous lending assistance of the Land Bank, got to see its mall-like modern market. The timing might have been bad however as seen in the economic activity going on at the second floor. Just take note of the small number of people hanging around there, hardly buying anything, and the many stalls that have already closed due to low daily sales.
Aggressive advertising has been done but of little effect. Obviously, there is something lacking in that market that could attract mall-goers. Well, the two malls beside it – CSI and Magic – remain bullish in their business despite the prevailing economic crunch. Which gives rise therefore to some fears among the present occupants that the market may in the end fall into private hands despite assurances from the city government that this would not happen.
Back to that unimplemented bangus processing plant project, the mayor has squarely blamed the Department of Agriculture for dragging its feet on it. Told by the President to coordinate with the DA for the release of the counterpart fund from the national government, he obediently did so. “Pinaiikot-ikot tayo,” he said in frustration.
“Nagsawa na rin ako sa kapa-followup,” he added.
Now we wonder. Was the local executive prompted to give up on the President over her apparent failure to make good her word on the bangus plant? He was not an original GMA fan. He might have only supported her due to party affiliation and perhaps because of FVR. He was even accused by some quarters in the Lakas that he was pro-FPJ in the last elections, which charge he strongly denied.
Whatever, the mayor, a businessman by nature or profession, must have been really so discouraged by the bureaucratic red tape, thus he took the path of the anti-GMA forces. In a way, GMA might also be partly blamed for practically leaving BSL to fend for himself after so grandly announcing to Dagupenos her help in the highly-ambitious bangus processing plant. BSL believes in his heart GMA could have pushed for the release of funds, if she really intended to help Dagupenos realize their dream – and live their pride.
