RAIN OF FIRE

Cesar G. Bonilla
President Magsaysay’s legacy worth emulating

LAOAG CITY -- Land for the landless. Those who have less in life should have more in law. This was the social justice principle of President Ramon Magsaysay, Idol of the Masses. The late president stirred the nation into the mainstream of pro-people policy as a democratic political platform of his administration.

Each year every Aug. 31, Filipinos remember the late president on his birthday. Magsaysay’s presidency (1953-1957) came at a time when the nation, still prostate from the ravages of the second world war and the threat of a communist take-over, rallied to his dream as a defender of freedom for the common (tao) man.

It was his policy of understanding for the farmer that turned the tide for the government during his incumbency as Secretary of Defense under the Quirino administration. As president of his country, what he lacked in sophistication as a manager and an economist, he more than made up for as leader selflessly and totally dedicated to his countrymen.

Of him, his successor, the late President Carlos P. Garcia, wrote: “His greatest achievement was mantling the Filipino common man with a new and fresh dignity which had been long overdue.”

Times have changed since Magsaysay’s untimely death 34 years ago when his plane (coincidentally named Mt. Pinatubo) crashed on a Gebu mountainside. He served as a model for public officials then and of the future, thinking not of himself but of the country’s welfare, not grandstanding or image-building at the expense of others, but sincerely working for the common good. His name remained untarnished. May we have more Magsaysays among our leaders.
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Being physically handicapped did not prevent Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca from rising above difficulties in her way to success. Isabela. Padaca’s meteoric journey in the field of politics is now reaping glory in her colorful struggle as crusader for justice when she was then a radio commentator of the province and as an exemplary public servant.

The people chose her as governor following her leadership by example against a well-entrenched family whose influence and power made other candidates quiver -- who tried to challenge their political clout. Not for Padaca since she could relate to the people with sympathy and sincerity.

She was the recipient of the most coveted 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service and will receive the award today. To the governor, our heartfelt congratulations!
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President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo will visit Ilocos Norte once again, on the occasion of Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Farinas’ birthday and for the Chief Executive to bring the graces of Malacanang in our typhoon-stricken province to help farmers whose crops and other products were badly devastated by typhoon Karen.

I admire PGMA for giving the necessary care and attention to Ilocos Norte. May the financial aids given by the president help our poor constituents recover from great losses brought by natural catastrophes like Typhoon Karen.
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The peace and order situation in the province is not impressive based on my own analysis. Some lawbreakers are becoming callous notwithstanding regulations implemented by authorities. Incidents of stabbing, gun touting or shooting, mauling, swindling, robbery and the like have caused instability and fear among residents.

The proper authorities deputized by law to keep the peace within their respective areas must be recognized. The members of the Philippine National Police are duty-bound to address the problems of society in consonance with fairness and justice. The citizenry can be an effective component in crime prevention if only they are more patriotic and concerned with the plight of the youth. A hotline by the PNP can be useful to stop crimes not only in out province but in the whole country as well.

I would like to greet all officers and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) especially the PNP Badoc for being an effective partner of the provincial government when it comes to peace and order. The accommodating spirit and will to serve the people of Ilocos Norte by police can assure tourists of their security and sense of hospitality in the province.