Despite my absence in Pinamungajan, I never fail to monitor the town where I was born. Thru the new communication facilities worldwide called the internet, people like me, had benefited its and been able to know the current events by way of reading the internet news. I might be very unfair to other newspapers in the country but I prefer reading Sunstar first before I went to other publications. The reason I guess, is I'm more inclined to be aware of my own province rather than the whole country in general. In fact, despite my distance, I knew very well the controversial and possibly the most expensive lamp post including its fixtures. Being a Professional Electrical Engineer (PEE) by profession and a member of Saudi Aramco Project Management Team based in Dhahran, KSA, I knew very well that something is wrong in the procurement. But that's another story.
Yesterday, upon browsing Sunstar, I happen to read that a classmate of mine, Glenn Baricuatro will be running as mayor of my hometown and affiliated with the group of the incumbent Governor Gwen Garcia. It's been so long that I haven't met Glenn although I occasionally read his name being the Head of PENRO. Nevertheless, whoever won the election, my only concern is the welfare of the town residents of which several of my relatives specially my parents and siblings resides.
The Yapha family had been in control the town after the Marcos era and unfortunately, there has been less improvements made after two decades of leadership. The culture of direct financial endowments are still practiced and I don't see any progress in the future. People has to be taught how earn a living for their needs like permanent jobs.
Having new leadership doesn't mean the previous leaders are bad but I guess, the town needs new ideas for its people. As long as the campaign are concentrated on positive issues of the town other than name-calling, then I guess both candidates beneficial to the town. I urged them to achieve a new level of campaigning other than using the old and ineffective way which results only hate and disagreements. After all, both their objective is to improve the life of their constituents.
Intellectually, I hope Glen thru the years, had improved.
