Strenthening the city’s ComprehensiveDevelopment Plan

IN A CONTINUING PROGRAM to update the Comprehensive Development Plan of the city government of Mabalacat, several individuals, representing the best and the finest of the LGU were sent to attend the CDP workshop 2 at the Institute of Small Scale Industries, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City on August 23, 2017.

Representing the city government to the said workshop were: Annette A. Tulabut, Rosalinda Gamboa, Eliza dela Cruz, Gemma Maria R. Mendoza, Amalia J. Carton, Dr. Ma. Clara C. Aquino, Adoracion M. Castro, Lourdes C. Balatibat, Juliet I. Acosta, Allan T. Lingad, Engr. Rodrigo D. de Leon, Joseph J. Lumanlan, Emmanuel P. Limpin, Jennifer S. Castillo, this writer, Jeremy Bryant de Leon, Cecilia D. Tolentino, Mark Joseph P. Martinez, Cezar B. Marucut, Victor Terry A. Medina, Ethelwilda D. Ocampo, Gerardo S. Candelaria, Francisco S. Foronda, Monaliza Cunanan, Edelin Zabala, Elllgeebher Mendiola from the CPDC office and from UP SURP Kristine F. Aspiras, Atty. Mark AM Gamboa, Dr. Mark Morales, Rene Babena, Juliet C. Mallari and Merylle Mallari.

The names of the above LGU participants were contained in the Travel Order No. 127 dated August 22, 2017 signed by Rosan S. Paquia, City Administrator; some sent representatives and others missed the activity.

Atty. Mark made a review of the first phase of the Mabalacat CDP. Then the participants were grouped into: Economics, Institutional, Social, Infrastructure and Environmental. Each group was assigned to put inputs into forms provided by the UP SURP and presented them later into the afternoon session.

Atty. Mark expounded on the vision of the city as enunciated in the first CDP workshop, i.e., to be the region’s premier commercial and industrial hub with healthy, disciplined, empowered and vigilant citizen r y.

Participants were advised by Atty. Mark to polish their inputs, forward the same by first week of October so that he and his group can review the presentations before these are submitted to Pampanga provincial development council.

The workshop ended shortly at past 5 pm.

***** Graduation rites. On August 22, 2017, graduation ceremonies of trainees were conducted jointly by PESO Mabalacat City and MCA Kin Builders at Sapphire Hall, Xevera, Tabun, Mabalacat City for the Carpentry and Tile Setting courses.

PESO Mabalacat City is scheduled to conduct more trainings such as: Sewing and Cutting and Electrical short course. These were disseminated to the 27 barangays of the city to elicit positive responses and participation. Samuel 16:18

IT IS very rare that a man possesses all these attributes that describe David.

Although all of these descriptions are accurate and not an exaggeration or a product of one's imagination, they all stand and fall in the last statement ‘The LORD is with him.’

David was not favored by God because he was handsome, brave and eloquent and talented... rather, he was handsome, brave, eloquent and talented because the Lord was with him.

More than an achievement, the above-mentioned traits are favors from God. Favor is another word for grace. God's undeserved favor! Only God knows the perfect meaning and measure of grace.

He grants it to whomever He wants and whenever He wishes. Receiving favor is one thing... understanding it and being transformed by it, is another. In the life of David, we see God's early signs of favor.

This was in preparation for his full reign as King of Israel. Let me highlight 3 favors from God to David.

First, A God-sent crisis became an open door for his entrance to the palace. Saul's deep and dark depression, caused by a vexing evil spirit from God, made a way for the next king to see his throne.

Secondly, a God-sent connection, a nameless young man became a credible bridge for David to be known. Sometimes, the connections sent by God are the ordinary nameless ones, while the connections we seek are the powerful. Indeed, God's ways are so different from our ways.

Do not miss the third favor God granted David, a God-shaped character... this speaks of the attitude which David showed while in the portals of power ... even Saul liked him. Such attitude of excellence and grace was not inherent in David.

Without him knowing it, God's favor had shaped a grace-filled attitude that made him a man with an excellent spirit.

Do not forget that the pouring out of God's favor upon a nobody is designed to transform that man... making him or her, a model of gratitude and generosity.

David's favor from God did not only flow in good times, it was in the not-sogood times that God's grace was obvious.

It was God's favor that called David, sustained David, especially in those times where most of his life was spent in reaping the hard and painful consequences of his sins.

It was also God's favor by which David exited well, being known as a man after God's own heart. Remember, our main topic is the God who grants favor.

Although David was a bible hero, do not glamorize him too much. The life of David was like our lives... a big mess. Only by the favor of God does it become a timely and timeless model of grace and transformation. I write straight from my heart ... we are all in a big mess. Blessed are those who recognize God's favor and are transformed by it