SANTA CRUZ, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO – During his visit here on Saturday, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson broached the idea that should he earn a Senate seat, he intends to help Occidental Mindoro realize its potential as a premier port and as an agricultural hub in the country, using lessons from the province’s history.
Lacson said Occidental Mindoro – whose strategic economic potential was seen several centuries ago – could become a center for trade like Singapore, if it is given the proper road network and other development projects.
“Marami tayong mapupulot na aral sa kasaysayan ng isang lugar, in this case Occidental Mindoro, na pwede nating pulutan ng mga pagkukunan ng mga ideas, because history is the best teacher… Mas maganda pulutin natin yung parte ng history ng kasaysayan na pwede nating pagkukunan ng ating lakas, ating kapasidad, ating kapabilidad na mapaunlad ang isang lugar tulad ng Occidental Mindoro (We can learn much from the history of a place – in this case, Occidental Mindoro. History is the best teacher and we must learn its lessons so we can realize our strengths and capabilities to improve our lot),” he said at a gathering here.
“Kung makikipagkonsulta kami sa DOTR halimbawa, o DPWH man para sa infrastructure, ang road network, you can just imagine kung made-develop natin ang isang port doon sa lugar na pinagdadaungan ng mga sasakyang dagat noong araw (We can consult with the Department of Transportation or Department of Public Works and Highways for the infrastructure and road network. You can just imagine how we can realize the potential of this province as a premier port),” he added.
Lacson noted that from 775 AD up to the 12th and 13th centuries, Mindoro province – then known as Ma-I – showed its strategic economic promise as it was a favorite anchorage of sea vessels in Southeast Asia and used by the Chinese, Arabs and Indians for their trade activities.
In the 13th century, Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho even attempted to invade and annex Mindoro to China – showing there must be gains from developing the province into a trading hub not only for domestic but international trade and commerce.
Such lessons in history give Mindoreños the opportunities to develop the province for the long-term benefits of their constituents and the future generations, Lacson noted.
He added that if Mindoro realizes its potentials, the development projects will boost the local economy, which in turn will lead to livelihood and employment opportunities – and higher local revenues that can be used for local development programs.
Such a scenario is the gist of Lacson’s advocacy for the equitable distribution of funds in the national budget. His Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) seeks to ensure the national budget allots enough funds to local government units (LGUs), which are in the best position to know the needs and priorities of their constituents.
Also, Lacson broached the idea of helping bring down the cost of production of rice and other agricultural products, amid the seeming failure of the Rice Tariffication Law to do so due to corruption – as the budget earmarked for farm inputs is lost to irregularities such as overpriced farm equipment.
At the event, Lacson received a warm welcome from Mindoro residents, with Rep. Leody F. Tarriela delivering a message acknowledging and commending Lacson’s anti-corruption advocacies, particularly in scrutinizing the national budget. Also present were Mindoro Occidental Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano and Vice Gov. Anecita Diana C. Apigo-Tayag.
