UPBEAT FOR Pampanga is Manny V. Pangilinan of Apalit town.
That is MVP, as in most valued president of just about every corporation of note in the country, from expressways to media, power to water, medical centers, and communications on the global scale.
That is MVP, as in most venerable, if not venerated, patron of the arts, and sports – from badminton to basketball: from San Beda in the NCAA to Ateneo in the UAAP, and Talk n Text in the PBA.
MVP’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp has long expressed interest in investing in the total development of the Clark airport: the construction of Terminal 2, an LCC (low cost carriers) terminal, city air terminal to serve as transit point for Clark passengers coming from Manila, and a high-speed rail system linking Clark to Manila.
The rail system, MVP said, “should be an integral part of the Clark airport” as foreign carriers will not be enticed to base in Clark unless there is an express train that will take passengers to Manila in less than an hour.
MVP has the Northrail in mind for the high-speed train, notwithstanding the controversy the project is currently enmeshed in. Ah, yes, the P-Noy administration is reported to have decided to “re-configure” the Northrail program, with the Chinese government totally in approval of it.
Two things, MVP said, his group is eagerly awaiting: the bidding for the Clark airport projects, and government being definitive in making Clark airport as premier gateway.
Take it from there, CIAC President-CEO Victor “Chichos” Luciano!
Beyond Clark, there is the province of Pampanga in MVP’s development radar.
Last Tuesday, MVP signed two memoranda of understanding with Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda in what could be considered a major PPP – that is private-public partnership, as express core values of the Aquino administration. The MOUs will be pursued at no cost to the government.
The first, with Maynilad Water Services, for a study of the safety, quality and availability of water in view of the increasing population and industrialization of the province.
The feasibility of tapping surface water for household and commercial needs will be part of the study, given the depletion of the aquifer and the resultant liquefaction noted in some areas of the province.
The second, with the Manila Electric Company Meralco, for a full development study on electric distribution utility in Pampanga.
The study seeks to “determine the electricity demand, financial, operational, regulatory, legal and market requirements, and the total investment required in improving, upgrading and enhancing the quality of electric service to the end users” within the province.
This is in line with the provincial government’s agenda to ensure steady and efficient power supply to households, commercial and industrial establishments.
Over sumptuous Capampangan culinary delights at the Bale Dutung of artist-gourmet Claude Tayag, where the signing of the MOUs took place, talks of power as easily shifted from electric to politics.
What with MVP giving cognizance not only to the presence in the ritual signing but also to the contribution to making the MOUs possible of “Congressman Yeng Guiao” of the 1st District and “Congressman Jerry Pelayo” of the 4th District.
MVP was emphatic in expressing his support for the two congressmen-awanting, enough to make Cong Jerry give his best John Lloyd Cruz smile and Cong Yeng to caution the newsmen present not to make a great issue of it as to cause Cong Tarzan to lose his blissful sleep.
Indeed, MVP was emphatic in expressing his support for Cong Yeng and Cong Jerry. Only, he did not say if it is limited to the moral kind.
Still, a good day was had by all.
