OFWs back Pangasinan mayor's re-election bid

MANILA, Philippines - The vast accomplishments of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan Mayor Reynaldo Velasco prompted overseas Filipino workers from the town to throw their support to his reelection bid in the coming May elections.

The OFWs pointed out that no previous mayor has done so much in agriculture development, improving the quality of education, building public works projects from flood control dikes to school buildings, roads and bridges.

They noted that Velasco promised to build 150 classrooms in three years. He built 288.

He has solved the perennial flooding of a wide swat of farmlands and residential areas in Sta. Barbara and rehabilitated the network of irrigation canals that had no water for over 20 years.

The mayor has likewise introduced livelihood projects, went into low cost housing projects for the poor, and attended to the needs of the Sta. Barbara youths.

“You have seen the difference. Play smart and elect the best candidate,” prodded Daniel Fabito, a native of Barangay Nilombot and now a leader of the Filipino community in Las Vegas, USA.

“In only three years, Ma­yor Velasco has achieved what the clan that ruled the town for decades failed to do,” said Serafin Padlan, a native of Barangay Banaoang now based in Los Angeles, California.

“The town enjoyed efficient, honest and dedicated local government service for the first time under Mayor Velasco. Its residents should not let that slip away this coming elections,” added Florencio Fernandez, a native of Barangay Maningding now based in San Jose, California.

He is one politician who delivered to his constituents more than what he promised, testified couple Alfredo and Lita Esteves, Fil-Am leaders who have vast tracts of farmland in Sta. Barbara.

And the OFWs claimed that Velasco has been the only mayor that put premium at values formation where honesty, respect for elders, love of good and basic virtues of responsible citizenship have been promoted as a way of life.