CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – When he filed his certificate of candidacy on Dec. 1, former city councilor Jose “Pol” Quiwa admits he has a formidable opponent for the congressional post in the third district of Pampanga.
He knows how Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales worked hard in the last two years and six months, focusing on infrastructure projects and the delivery of basic services and programs.
However, Pol says “we have to remember that when Barrack Obama first run for congress, he lost by a wide margin. But on his second try, he won with a wide margin against the same opponent.”
“Then Obama defeated former US senator Hillary Clinton (now the Secretary of State) during the Democrat nomination,” says Pol who also cited the classic fight between David and Goliath in the bible where the latter lost by one sling shot.
Pol also says he was inspired how Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio won in the last elections against their powerful and influential opponents.
But for the 36 year-old businessman, he said he is running not against the person but to fulfill his various advocacies.
“I’m running to institute change,” says Pol, the Liberal Party’s standard bearer against Lakas-CMD-Kampi’s Gonzales.
“I am offering myself as an alternative and I want the people of the third district to be part of this change. Transparency, that I can assure you,” he told Punto Central Luzon.
He says projects like infrastructure, should be equal to all, “without fear or favor”. “Projects should not be concentrated in one town or city”.
PLATFORM
Noting that Bacolor town was heavily devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Pol says he will invite more businessmen to invest in the town to generate more jobs.
He also bared his plans for this city. One is the strengthening of business organizations and groups here, maintaining its status as one of the most business-friendly city in the country.
He will also hold various consultations with farmer groups in the towns of Sta. Ana and Arayat. Pol believes that helping and empowering every farmer will create a big impact on the local economy.
“We should also put emphasis on education. This doesn’t only mean giving educational assistance to 1,000 individuals but all poor but deserving students in the 3rd district (five towns and one city) of Pampanga,” says Pol, adding that he was also inspired by Mayor Oscar “Oca” Rodriguez’s education program.
In 2002, Bill Gates of Microsoft granted Pol’s request for assistance in his barangay computer literacy program. Gates donated at least 15 personal computers, which was coursed through IBM in Makati City.
Pol now wants to continue this program, which he initiated with the help of Rodriguez, by providing more computers in every barangay in the third district.
He says making these programs sustainable will create a big impact not only in the district, but also to the whole country. “One way is to ask for assistance from local and foreign funding agencies.”
Part of his platform is to strengthen small and medium enterprises. These include partnering with the “Go Negosyo” of Joe Concepcion, holding various business forums to encourage and inspire young entrepreneurs, and strengthening youth organizations especially those in the grassroots.
Holding free medical missions should also be held in various barangays regularly. He says aside from helping poor people to have access to free medicines and free check ups, women, especially mothers, should also have access to quality reproductive health care.
Asked how will he launch a less costly campaign, Pol says he will adopt a non-traditional way of campaigning.
Other than doing the usual house to house campaigning, “I will also maximize the use of the new media.” He believes that social networking sites like facebook, twitter and friendster could help a lot in informing the public about his platform of government just like what Obama did.
“One reason why I am running is because I am confident with the automated 2010 elections,” says Pol.
He cited that with a computerized election, fraud is less and “the true will of the people will come out.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
During his stint as a city councilor, Pol pushed for the approval of the anti-smoking ordinance, which prohibits smoking in public places.
He also pushed for the strengthening of the local version of the senior citizens’ act, expanding the 20 percent discount for the elders in various food outlets, drug stores and other establishments.
Pol also initiated the enactment of the Gender and Development ordinance, which helped battered women and provided livelihood assistance for them.
He also co-authored the passage of the tax code here that increased the city’s income and tax collection.
He knows how Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales worked hard in the last two years and six months, focusing on infrastructure projects and the delivery of basic services and programs.
However, Pol says “we have to remember that when Barrack Obama first run for congress, he lost by a wide margin. But on his second try, he won with a wide margin against the same opponent.”
“Then Obama defeated former US senator Hillary Clinton (now the Secretary of State) during the Democrat nomination,” says Pol who also cited the classic fight between David and Goliath in the bible where the latter lost by one sling shot.
Pol also says he was inspired how Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio won in the last elections against their powerful and influential opponents.
But for the 36 year-old businessman, he said he is running not against the person but to fulfill his various advocacies.
“I’m running to institute change,” says Pol, the Liberal Party’s standard bearer against Lakas-CMD-Kampi’s Gonzales.
“I am offering myself as an alternative and I want the people of the third district to be part of this change. Transparency, that I can assure you,” he told Punto Central Luzon.
He says projects like infrastructure, should be equal to all, “without fear or favor”. “Projects should not be concentrated in one town or city”.
PLATFORM
Noting that Bacolor town was heavily devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Pol says he will invite more businessmen to invest in the town to generate more jobs.
He also bared his plans for this city. One is the strengthening of business organizations and groups here, maintaining its status as one of the most business-friendly city in the country.
He will also hold various consultations with farmer groups in the towns of Sta. Ana and Arayat. Pol believes that helping and empowering every farmer will create a big impact on the local economy.
“We should also put emphasis on education. This doesn’t only mean giving educational assistance to 1,000 individuals but all poor but deserving students in the 3rd district (five towns and one city) of Pampanga,” says Pol, adding that he was also inspired by Mayor Oscar “Oca” Rodriguez’s education program.
In 2002, Bill Gates of Microsoft granted Pol’s request for assistance in his barangay computer literacy program. Gates donated at least 15 personal computers, which was coursed through IBM in Makati City.
Pol now wants to continue this program, which he initiated with the help of Rodriguez, by providing more computers in every barangay in the third district.
He says making these programs sustainable will create a big impact not only in the district, but also to the whole country. “One way is to ask for assistance from local and foreign funding agencies.”
Part of his platform is to strengthen small and medium enterprises. These include partnering with the “Go Negosyo” of Joe Concepcion, holding various business forums to encourage and inspire young entrepreneurs, and strengthening youth organizations especially those in the grassroots.
Holding free medical missions should also be held in various barangays regularly. He says aside from helping poor people to have access to free medicines and free check ups, women, especially mothers, should also have access to quality reproductive health care.
Asked how will he launch a less costly campaign, Pol says he will adopt a non-traditional way of campaigning.
Other than doing the usual house to house campaigning, “I will also maximize the use of the new media.” He believes that social networking sites like facebook, twitter and friendster could help a lot in informing the public about his platform of government just like what Obama did.
“One reason why I am running is because I am confident with the automated 2010 elections,” says Pol.
He cited that with a computerized election, fraud is less and “the true will of the people will come out.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
During his stint as a city councilor, Pol pushed for the approval of the anti-smoking ordinance, which prohibits smoking in public places.
He also pushed for the strengthening of the local version of the senior citizens’ act, expanding the 20 percent discount for the elders in various food outlets, drug stores and other establishments.
Pol also initiated the enactment of the Gender and Development ordinance, which helped battered women and provided livelihood assistance for them.
He also co-authored the passage of the tax code here that increased the city’s income and tax collection.
