UNITED FOR THE POOR

Two weeks ago, while the Province of Laguna was at the limelight of national media coverage with historic signing of Cheaper Medicine Bill by Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – thereafter now known as (RA 9502) Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, a vivid revelation of unity was achieved where all four representatives of the province, no matter what political persuasions and affiliation were, when the interest of their constituents are at stake, crosses party lines and speak as one on pro-poor legislations.

One of the rare moment standing as one, though they the have the same direction on Laguna Lake Development issue, this clever action deserve to be emulated considering their varied political inclinations. Cong. Dan Fernandez (1st district) is aligned to PDSP, Cong. Timmy Chipeco is LDP, Cong. Ivy Arago is LP and Cong. Egay San Luis is Independent. Party principles this time were no object and for the benefit of their poor constituents these lawmakers will march on common goal.

Another revelation presented on the historic signing of RA 9502 was the support given by local officials to the Chief Executive from Gov. Teresita Lazaro and all provincial officials, and the presence of City and municipal mayors during the ceremony at the grounds of Laguna Provincial Hospital. Those who were not seen there, were the welcoming party for the president’s engagement in Biñan where PGMA inaugurated a pharmaceutical firm.

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Mayor Vicente B. Amante had proven his critics wrong when he established San Pablo City National High School and built 12 high school annexes strategically located within the city’s 80 barangays during his first four terms as city executive. Last year it has a total enrollment to a close 13,000 students and this school year the safe estimate would be near 15,000 composed mostly of poor but deserving students.

Four years ago Mayor Amante also fought for the establishment of San Pablo City Science High School for the benefits of qualified students with extra-ordinary intelligence for better enhancement. This school rank 3rd in 2008 Regional Achievement Test amongst school in the entire Region 4.

The greatest contribution of Amante in the field of education can’t be match by no other except himself when he pushed ten years ago for the charter of Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo (DLSP). It has produced successful graduates since then. This city college house almost 4,000 students subsidized by the local government of San Pablo City. (NANI CORTEZ)