The Governor's Monday

8:30 A.M. The sweet, stirring refrain of exaltation to the Kapampangan has barely faded when the governor takes the stand right by the flagpole to gently, oh so gently, remind the capitol employees the mission, nay, the very reason of their being: Serve the People.
Thus: “Sa isang halal na opisyal, isang kamalian ang taguriang nasasakupan ang mamamayan. Sila ay pinaglilingkuran. Kaya, sa abot ng ating kakayahan, atin silang paglingkuran nang walang anumang kapalit na hinihintay.”
Inhered in the governor is that value that holds the people not as subjects to be governed, but as sovereign to be served.
9:00 A.M. The stream of callers at the Office of the Governor meanders through the stairs and cascades down to the very portal of the capitol. The governor sees to it that everyone shall be personally attended to.
A social welfare desk takes care of indigents’ needs from hospital admittance to unpaid bills. Pre-arrangement by the governor with all hospitals in the province has greatly facilitated the medical care for the indigents. Of great help too has been the governor’s success in making 100 percent of the province’s senior citizens and indigents members of Philhealth within only the first year in office.
Taking charge of job-seekers is the provincial employment service office that is interconnected with all major business establishments in the province as well as the labor services department of the Clark Development Corp. and the Clark International Airport Corp. The governor has signed a landmark legislation passed unanimously by the sangguniang panlalawigan mandating that 75 percent of the manpower requirements of all firms doing business in the province should come from Pampanga. Only in cases where a local talent is unavailable should an exemption be granted.
10:30 A.M. The governor holds a working merienda with Vice Governor Yeng Guiao and the SP to set the capitol’s agenda for the week.
The governor congratulates Yeng, the appointed task force head, for the continuing increase in the quarry collections, with the proviso though that the rise in collection is never an end unto itself but only a means toward a nobler end.
“Ang pagtaas ng koleksiyon mula sa quarry ay tunay na kamangha-mangha. Subalit ito ay magkakaroon lamang ng saysay at kabuluhan kung mapapakinabangan ng mga mamamayan sa mga proyektong tumutugon sa kanilang mga pangangailangan at sa kalinangan at kaunlaran ng mga pamayanan.”
So the governor lays before the SP the provincial priorities on-stream.
On health: the rehabilitation of all the district hospitals by increasing their bed-capacity; the hiring of more and specialized health personnel; the provision of equipment such as X-ray and dialysis machines and complete laboratory testing, enough supply of medicines.
On nutrition: a feeding program – on a balanced diet, naturally – in all day-care centers and public elementary schools.
On education: construction of more classrooms, hiring of more teaching personnel; piloting cyber education in all districts.
It is understood that in the implementation of these priorities the board members shall take the role of focal persons in their respective districts.
12:30 P.M. Working lunch at the Executive House with the Pampanga Mayors League.
The governor wants to know the status of the municipal projects each funded with P5 million from the provincial development fund.
“On target,” is the collective reply.
Minalin Mayor Edgar Flores says the road widening and beautification project is nearly complete, thanking the governor for granting a permit-less tax-holiday in all desilting operations in the town, and for providing additional funding to the project. So will the governor be so kind as to grace the inauguration in a week’s time?
Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang says the construction of the municipal hospital is running short of funds. The governor cuts him short by committing P10 million for its completion.
Bacolor Mayor Buddy Dungca does not ask for anything. He thanks the governor for the completion of desilting operations at the Gugu Creek.
Sto. Tomas Mayor Lito Naguit asks the governor to please help fast-track the completion of the Balangcas bridge along MacArthur Highway. The governor calls the public works secretary and gets the assurance that it will be finished in 30 working days or else the contractor shall be heavily penalized.
San Simon Mayor Digos Canlas expressed his town’s gratitude to the governor for lobbying with the President to release P35 million for his town’s various infra projects. The President, with the governor beside her, personally handed him the check right after the thanksgiving Mass for the President’s birthday in Lubao.
So, the governor asks the mayors, how are we coping with the rice shortage?
Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo smirks: “What shortage? The opposition is making a mountain out of a molehill as usual. Candaba has surplus that can be shared with other towns that are in need.”
Sta. Ana Mayor Omeng Concepcion also offers his town’s surplus rice.
3:00 P.M. A call from Malacanang. The governor is requested by the President to a meeting of a “very personal” nature.
“Dadalhin ko sa Presidente ang mga magagandang pangyayari dito sa Pampanga at ang pagmamahal ng mga Kapampangan sa kanya.”
And the governor, simply Nanay to her people, takes her leave to the applause of the Pampanga Mayors League.
How right still is that now-forgotten sage of long ago: “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these ‘It might have been.’”
Not a few Kapampangans are pining: A Nanay for a governor. Pampanga would have been truly blest.