The Delta that Pampanga needs
It cannot be denied that our country is taking off economically, and the best part of this is that growth is being felt inclusively, and all around. This is because of the rise of big-ticket infrastructure not just in the so-called Imperial Manila, but in other urban areas across the country.
In fact, one province in Central Luzon is poised to position itself as a megapolis, where modern living and a well-planned, technologically advanced cityscape is about to emerge.
I am talking about my current hometown Pampanga, which is on the rise — thanks to the inclusive economic growth agenda of the Duterte administration, and its local government leadership.
Indeed, Pampanga is on the cusp of an economic boom, and we have to credit the inspiring leadership of Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda for this.
I say inspiring because Governor Delta was able to steer Pampanga to new heights amid a devastating pandemic, which has severely crippled our local economy and those of the global community.
Inspiring because his hands-on handling of the Covid-19 health crisis made a significant difference on how Kapampangans have managed to cope, especially in the early stages when thousands of our affected kababayans were being repatriated.
The“Balik-Pinas,Balik-Pampanga” repatriation program he codeveloped with his Vice Governor Lillian “Nanay” Pineda, was a defining initiative that endeared him to his constituents. This is because of how it was able to combine technology in tracking and assisting returning Kapampangans from abroad, with the full mobilization of resources of the local government in bringing them safely home to their families.
Inspiring because Governor Delta’s kind of leadership has been tried and severely tested in only his first term as governor, during crisis after crisis where he endeavored to involve Pampanga in finding and providing solutions and assistance even at the national level. He never wavered and never hesitated in extending and providing the needed manpower, materials, supplies, and expertise in disaster response during the Taal eruptions in Southern Luzon, in the aftermath of typhoon “Ulysses” in Cagayan, and even during and after typhoon “Odette” hit the country.
The admirable thing about this “leadership in crisis” trait of
Gov. Delta is that it has been carried out in a genuinely sincere manner sans the fanfare and publicity. It was never about him. It was all about public service, and how to best serve the interest of his constituents and his province.
Thus, there is no turning back now towards Pampanga’s progress. The soon-to-be megapolis has already laid out the foundation for its transformation, and its no-nonsense leadership is working double-time to see it through, and at the same time deftly managing this pandemic.
If Delta is equated as a variant of Covid and is feared in other areas, in Pampanga, it is well-loved,respected,andembraced by its citizenry. Because for them, Governor Delta is not a curse, but a blessing that they are beholden to.
He is the Delta that the Kapampangans need.
“Indeed, Pampanga is on the cusp of an economic boom, and we have to credit the inspiring leadership of Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda for this.
“The ‘Balik-Pinas, Balik-Pampanga’ repatriation program he co-developed with his Vice Governor Lillian ‘Nanay’ Pineda, was a defining initiative that endeared him to his constituents.