Patio: A good sign for Pampanga

"What is even more contagious in the character of the lady governor is her charms and traits in unifying people and as a keen listener to her constituents"

From naive governance way back since the birth of the province, the not so complicated but simple discharging of functions by whoever sits as chief executive at the capitol has metamorphosed into complete transformation. Thanks to the local government code and other national laws that empower and give autonomy to local government unit with some discretion in budgeting, taxation and other revenue generating measures. In other words, we leap a hundred folds as compared before when the world was young and our needs in terms of addressing public service was not extremely difficult to handle and find solutions thereof. Not to mention the internal revenue allotment (IRA) from the national government cascaded down up to small local government units—the barangays. That speaks well of land down different parameters, ways and means for every chief executive to implement. Nothing negative should get in the way to hamper the development and progress that we all want to attain.

This time, let us forget politics and each one of us must work his or her way to cooperate and give our exerted effort to achieve what is best for our province and its people. Let us allow ourselves to be always a part of a solution rather than that of a problem. Pampanga is our community, our very own. Giving more elbow room and enough space for our new chief executive at the capitol to best think and reformulate procedures on programs of governance is already an unselfish gesture on our part that a good sign is in the offing. Setting aside partisan politics, we could all work earnestly in a unified manner for one party – and that is our province, Pampanga. With the lady governor on the driver seat, it takes more than just an honest executive to steer the province in progress.

News of convening and meeting with different business groups in the province will foster a long lasting positive relationship between the provincial government and stakeholders. Here, they go hand in hand through brainstorming on what is best and applicable to trade and industry. The multi-sectoral participation through consultation is another way that a good sign will manifest even more in our society. With the executive team now at Pampanga capitol, there is no other way but towards the direction of progress and continuous development. What has been started years ago will be doubled in terms of priority infrastructure projects and basic social services worth giving to our indigent province-mates.

What is even more contagious in the character of the lady governor is her charms and traits in unifying people and as a keen listener to her constituents. Our recent visit to the capitol by way of paying a courtesy call, we are warmly welcomed and accorded of her precious time. That alone showed her sincerity and thoughtfulness in dealing with people. Armed with a mandate of the majority of Kapampangans and with the full support from Pampanga mayors and provincial legislators, the surest good signs for Pampanga will also be felt elsewhere, our neighbour province included.

From day one of her stint at the capitol building, the state of structures of different offices was given notice for necessary dress-up. Different district hospitals were visited for assessment, just to name a few. Being hands-on in the affairs of governance, we will not fail to commit also ourselves in support of the advocacies benefiting every Kapampangan.

Perhaps what we need is not one person but several, who can imagine themselves being “called” to politics as priests and nuns are called to the religious life. Not every good person can make it as a politician and, as everyone knows, it takes more than an abundance of good intention to run government or lead a province properly. There are two types of individuals needed in government: The civil servants who will administer the affairs of government and not engage in politics, and the political leaders who will fight and assume responsibility for governance. Some good people are cut out for administrative roles but may not make it as political leaders. Others could be effective politicians but poor civil servants. What we may be looking for are individuals who have a real “vocation for politics.”

The ideal politician approaches politics not as a playground for his ego, but as a field in which he seeks to achieve a cause much larger than himself, his family or corporation. The striving for power in his case is a purely objective enterprise, which he takes up methodically and relentlessly, and dedicates exclusively to the service of the “cause.”

Above all, our governor looks upon the striving for power not as enjoyment but as an unavoidable means to the attainment of a higher goal. Therefore, she never loses her objectivity. She is neither resentful nor vengeful. In victory, she thinks of “the responsibility towards the future which above all burdens the victor.” And she does not exploit ethics or dishonour the enemy she has defeated.

A good sign for Pampanga, which we all long yearn for.