CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Bacolor Mayor Jose Maria “Jomar” Hizon on Monday said he will deal with the issues on education raised by his predecessor “at the proper place and time” to avoid a word war between them.
Hizon, who was interviewed at the Pampanga Police Office (PPO) here after Gov. Lilia Pineda turned over a quick-response truck to the police, said it will be unfair to former Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dungca “if I will accuse him when he is not around to defend himself.”
“I was advised not to answer back. It will not end if I do,” said Hizon, son of prominent businesswoman Lolita Hizon of Pampanga’s Best.
Last week, Dungca assailed Hizon for his slashing the town’s scholarship fund from P3.5 million to P1.5 million. Hizon reportedly reasoned that the practice of providing scholarship programs to poor but deserving students makes Bacolor families dependent on a “dole-out system.”
Hizon said he had not abolished the scholarships for students in the town badly affected by the aftermath of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.
“Sometimes it’s ironic. They will see,” said Hizon, cutting short his statements that his administration had supported the granting of scholarships and aid for farming “even with my own money.”
He, however, stressed that his practice of “teaching people how to fish” instead of relying on dole-outs will be good for his constituents in the long run.
The first-term mayor said he will “just continue” his programs largely focused on agriculture on the last year of his three-year term. He implied that his focus now will be his job as mayor and not “politics.”
Hizon said that once farmers get bountiful yield, they will have money for “electricity, food and education.”
He noted that 90 percent of Bacolor’s total land area of 71.70 square kilometers is dedicated to farming and animal production.
Hizon said he had purchased with his own money equipment that will allow farmers to use organic fertilizers “on a large and consistent basis.”
Hizon said “it’s a hindrance” to be mayor in a “GMA area.” He was referring to former President and now Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is facing charges in connection with her nine-year rule as president.
But he quickly added that they had been granted at least P100 million worth of projects by the Aquino government.
Hizon said he doesn’t have yet a running-mate for the 2013 elections.
