FOOT-IN-MOUTH is a PNoy malignancy.
“Give me a chance to help you. I cannot let Pampanga be left behind in the progress that is being attained by the Philippines.”
So declared the President on October 5, 2012 in the City of San Fernando when he fielded 2010 loser Eddie Panlilio as his administration’s candidate for governor, along with his running mate, lawyer Amalia Tiglao-Cayanan, Panlilio’s administrator Vivian Dabu and Mayor Oscar Rodriguez for the second and third congressional districts.
“I know that Pampanga will be in good hands under their leadership, and I am sure that it is only toward progress that they will lead the people of Pampanga.”
So went the presidential endorsement, Mr. Aquino going on to vow he would “advance the full liberation of Pampanga.”
Liberation from what, and for what? He did not have to say as he made the caveat: “Remember this: If the local leadership is inefficient, the future of our people will remain bleak.”
All these soundbytes duly recorded in media, the Philippine Daily Inquirer issue of October 6 screaming: “Aquino fields Panlilio vs Pineda in Pampanga” subheaded “Among Ed opts to quit priesthood for politics.”
To reiterate – for effect – what Mr. Aquino said: “Give me a chance to help you. I cannot let Pampanga be left behind in the progress that is being attained by the Philippines.”
That was only last October. Now, in the local media just last week, came out the belated report of Pampanga landing among the Top 10 provinces in the Philippines ranked by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in terms of economic and business growth.
In the study “Market Potential and Prospects of Philippine Regions, Provinces and Cities” authored by Dr. Cid Terosa of the UA&P School of Economics, Pampanga placed sixth among the top provinces described as “ahead of the pack,” with a rating of 0.3983 based on its index of economic and business activity in 2011.
The index covered: 1) generation of taxes from local sources in 2010; 2) construction activity, which covers industrial, commercial and residential construction in 2011; and 3) consumption activity measured by the number of Jollibee stores in 2012.
(So how many Jollibees have we in Pampanga? Top of mind now: 4 in San Fernando outside the malls, 2 in SM City Pampanga, 1 in SM City downtown, 1 in Robinsons, 1 in Walter Mart, 1 in Apalit, 1 in Sta. Ana, 1 in Guagua, 1 in Magalang, and 1 in Mabalacat. In Angeles City, 6 outside the malls, 1 in SM City Clark, 1 in Robinsons, 1 in Marquee Mall, 1 in Nepo Mall, 1 in Jenra Mall, and 2 at the Clark Freeport. A total of 27!)
The top three provinces were Cebu, with an index of 0.8668; Laguna with 0.6776; and Cavite with 0.6054.
Bulacan which placed fourth with an index of 0.5283 was the only other Central Luzon province that landed in the Top 10.
Nueva Ecija and Bataan with individual index of 0.1844 and 0.1437, respectively, were ranked 15th and 19th and were grouped with the next 10 provinces dubbed as “chasing the leaders.”
The ranking of Mr. Aquino’s home province of Tarlac was not mentioned in the media reports.
The study was presented at the 2012 Year-End Business Economic briefing held by the Business Economic Club at the UA&P last November.
Just thinking: With the unprecedented collection in quarry fees from the second half of 2010, through 2011 and 2012 – a whopping P649,782,500 in the 30 months of the administration of Gov. Lilia 0G. Pineda – Pampanga’s ranking would most certainly improve, if only in the “generation of taxes from local sources” index.
Still, ranking sixth of the 81 provinces in the Philippines in terms of economic and business growth is no mean feat for the current leadership at the Pampanga Capitol.
So what is Mr. Aquino saying he “cannot let Pampanga be left behind in the progress that is being attained by the Philippines.”
Maybe, he should just let Pampanga be so he avoids stuffing his mouth with his foot whenever he speaks of the province.
And GMA is not even here.
