Panlilio marks first year in office
In his speech commemorating his first year as governor held at the Benigno Aquino Hall here the other day, Panlilio also lamented that many provincial capitol employees are not poised to resign.
This, he again blamed on the provincial board for its alleged failure to act on the budget for the salaries of employees monitoring lahar sand quarrying operations in the province.
Panlilio also noted that the board has also not acted on the budget for the operating expenses of his quarrying task force called BALAS and three other offices he had proposed to be created and funded.
“Next month, my office no longer has the cash to deliver the services of these units,” he said.
“We are experiencing difficulties and are belt tightening. Many of our employees, especially those who are casuals, conractuals, and under job orders want to resign,” he said.
“Up to now the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has not approved our request for supplemental budget and the upgrading of salaries to grade 1. The most affected here are our checkers and supervisors monitoring quarry operations. Their job is difficult and hazardous but this is not sufficient reason for the board to give them corresponding pay,” he said.
Panlilio also lamented that “even the funds for our scholars has not been released even as the new semester has already started.”
“How can our poor but deserving scholars pursue their studies if what we can give them as help is politicized?” he asked.
In the May elections last year, Panlilio defeated former provincial board member Lilia Pineda whose electoral protest against him remains pending before the Supreme Court. Mrs. Pineda’s son Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda is the president of the Pampanga Mayors’ League.
Last week, Panlilio filed before the Office of the Ombudsman plunder charges against Mrs. Pineda’s husband Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda whom he again linked to jueteng operations in this province. The case was linked to the plunder charges filed against former President Estrada whom the Senate had found guilty.
Panlilio stressed, however, that his filing of the case against Pineda had nothing to do with politics. He admitted, however, the case could help finally stop alleged jueteng in Pampanga.
“When I was sworn to office I also appealed for your help for us to push the crusade for a clean and honest governance.I thank all of you for supporting and helping me realize this vision,” he said.
He noted that apart from systemizing and curbing anomalies in lahar sand quarrying operations, his administration also banned so-called commissions or SOP’s in the implementation of provincial government projects.
Panlilio’s critics, including Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao, said that such policy has discouraged contractors and suppliers from bidding, thus delaying many programs and projects.
“Please bear with us, we are revisiting each and every aspect of the procurement and payment processes to serve you better,” Panlilio said.
“Mayors say 2008 infrastructure projects have not started. But our annual development and investment plan for 2008 which contains budget for infrastructure was submitted to the SP a month ago. It has remained ignored,” Panlilio said.
Panlilio again sought the support of the private sector for provincial government projects amid soured relations with other provincial officials.
“I challenge you, my fellow Kapampangans, to serve and devote our talents, strentch, time and life for our province. One hour of voluntary and effective service can lead to far reching benefits,” he said.
He noted that already, people from Barangka and Mapanaqui in candaba have volunteered free labor for the implementation of infrastracture projects in their areas.
“We are removing patronage politics, so that even if some mayors and SP members are against us, we continue to help their towns, especially Floridablanca, Porac, Candaba, Minalin among others.”
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