THE CLARK Development Corp. has lately edged out recount-threatened Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio as the local media’s favorite whipping boy.
Capitol issues – the as-yet unpaid Christmas cash gifts of the employees foremost – have been reduced to tempests in teapots.
On the other hand, the CDC continues to get whipped for an already fait accompli: the transfer of the regional consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs from Clark to the central transport terminal in the City of San Fernando.
“Natutulog sa pansitan.” So was the CDC damned for the loss of one main magnet for investors and comers to the Freeport.
“No sleeping on the job.” Vehemently denied the CDC, reciting a litany of dates going as far back as 2007 when the DFA first thought of decamping.
“The CDC has been working closely with the DFA in coming up with alternatives for retention since the agency verbally announced its plan to give up its leased premises in the Balikbayan Mall in Clark. The alternatives were presented in view of the DFA’s planned procurement of a lot in the City of San Fernando where regional offices are located.” So was CDC President-CEO Benny Ricafort quoted in a CDC press release.
Furthered the press release: “In 2009, the DFA head office brought to the attention of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the need to relocate their regional office to San Fernando in view of the department’s regionalization program which aims to put DFA regional offices in government centers across the country…”
There is an apparent deceit by the DFA there: It transferred not to the regional government center but to a privately-owned transport terminal. And no news of it having procured a lot in the government center ever came out. So what gives?
The transfer of the DFA could only be effected by a power well over and above the CDC, so the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement said in its stand on the issue. The implication there clearly being the President. Hence its call for GMA to “prove her concern for the welfare of the Kapampangans and the people of nearby northern provinces as well as the overseas Filipino workers” with a DFA office in Clark.
So is this in a way any exculpation for the CDC?
Not quite. Asleep on the job, the CDC indeed could be guilty of in the DFA transfer brouhaha. That is in failing to bring the issue to the Metro Clark Advisory Council. With Mayor Boking Morales as co-chair there, it would have taken but a little lobbying with GMA to have had the DFA stayed. And all the President’s men hereabouts – 1st District Rep. Tarzan Lazatin, Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council Sec. Ed Pamintuan, Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo with his palengke in front of DFA-Clark would have made ready and willing lobbyists.
Now, if only to prove that the CDC is widely awake and par for the job, Ricafort need to move the DFA to set up shop anew at the Freeport, even if only a satellite office.
There, I shall stop flogging the dead horse that is the DFA transfer. And direct my whiplash at something else. Ah, the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
A few questions to the CDC on the festival.
1. Will organizer Joy Roa be made to liquidate every peso of the P3.5 million subsidy given him by the CDC and the CIAC?
2. Will organizer Joy Roa be taxed for the fees for entrance, parking, and booth rentals collected during the festival?
3. Will organizer Joy Roa be compelled to publicize the amount of sponsorship the festival received?
4. Will the Aeta tribesmen get their own space in the festival area to sell their products?
5. Will there be enough traffic enforcers to ensure the freeflow of vehicles to and from Clark on the days of the festival?
Answer not these questions soon and the CDC be damned as Rip Van Winkle dozing over a plate of chow mein again.
So much flavor there.
Capitol issues – the as-yet unpaid Christmas cash gifts of the employees foremost – have been reduced to tempests in teapots.
On the other hand, the CDC continues to get whipped for an already fait accompli: the transfer of the regional consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs from Clark to the central transport terminal in the City of San Fernando.
“Natutulog sa pansitan.” So was the CDC damned for the loss of one main magnet for investors and comers to the Freeport.
“No sleeping on the job.” Vehemently denied the CDC, reciting a litany of dates going as far back as 2007 when the DFA first thought of decamping.
“The CDC has been working closely with the DFA in coming up with alternatives for retention since the agency verbally announced its plan to give up its leased premises in the Balikbayan Mall in Clark. The alternatives were presented in view of the DFA’s planned procurement of a lot in the City of San Fernando where regional offices are located.” So was CDC President-CEO Benny Ricafort quoted in a CDC press release.
Furthered the press release: “In 2009, the DFA head office brought to the attention of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the need to relocate their regional office to San Fernando in view of the department’s regionalization program which aims to put DFA regional offices in government centers across the country…”
There is an apparent deceit by the DFA there: It transferred not to the regional government center but to a privately-owned transport terminal. And no news of it having procured a lot in the government center ever came out. So what gives?
The transfer of the DFA could only be effected by a power well over and above the CDC, so the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement said in its stand on the issue. The implication there clearly being the President. Hence its call for GMA to “prove her concern for the welfare of the Kapampangans and the people of nearby northern provinces as well as the overseas Filipino workers” with a DFA office in Clark.
So is this in a way any exculpation for the CDC?
Not quite. Asleep on the job, the CDC indeed could be guilty of in the DFA transfer brouhaha. That is in failing to bring the issue to the Metro Clark Advisory Council. With Mayor Boking Morales as co-chair there, it would have taken but a little lobbying with GMA to have had the DFA stayed. And all the President’s men hereabouts – 1st District Rep. Tarzan Lazatin, Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council Sec. Ed Pamintuan, Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo with his palengke in front of DFA-Clark would have made ready and willing lobbyists.
Now, if only to prove that the CDC is widely awake and par for the job, Ricafort need to move the DFA to set up shop anew at the Freeport, even if only a satellite office.
There, I shall stop flogging the dead horse that is the DFA transfer. And direct my whiplash at something else. Ah, the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
A few questions to the CDC on the festival.
1. Will organizer Joy Roa be made to liquidate every peso of the P3.5 million subsidy given him by the CDC and the CIAC?
2. Will organizer Joy Roa be taxed for the fees for entrance, parking, and booth rentals collected during the festival?
3. Will organizer Joy Roa be compelled to publicize the amount of sponsorship the festival received?
4. Will the Aeta tribesmen get their own space in the festival area to sell their products?
5. Will there be enough traffic enforcers to ensure the freeflow of vehicles to and from Clark on the days of the festival?
Answer not these questions soon and the CDC be damned as Rip Van Winkle dozing over a plate of chow mein again.
So much flavor there.
