‘I want to bring gov’t closer to the people’ “It’s my dream for the government to be brought closer to the people.” This was the reason that prompted former Ilocos Norte Governor and 1st district Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas to return to politics and run against the Marcos-backed Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Michael M. Keon. In an interview with Fariñas, he said it is his dream to bring the provincial government closer to the people as he did in his 10-year term as governor of the province as he stressed that he has noticed and observed that the current administration has failed to bring the government to the people and that they have failed to identify what the people need in terms of livelihood opportunities. In view of this, Fariñas said he intends to revive the Rang-ay Ti Barangay program, which he initiated during his terms both as Laoag mayor and Ilocos Norte governor and which has been adopted by former Laoag Mayor Roger C. Fariñas and re-electionist Laoag Mayor Michael V. Fariñas, wherein he would travel to all municipalities in the province to see and hear for himself what the people need. Aside from this, Fariñas said he would also look into the peace and order situation of the province which he said had a breakdown as he noted that during his reign as governor, no high-profile killings occurred. The former governor cited the cases of Currimao Vice Mayor Wilbur Go, Vintar Mayor Eleuterio C. Mabanag and Marcos Mayor Rogelio Pambid, who were all assassinated. “As a governor you should always see the peace and order situation. Before, I always presided the POC [Peace and Order Council] regularly. I also had regular monthly meeting with the provincial committee on justice at the Provincial Jail,” he explained. Should he win again as governor, Fariñas said he will be proposing the reclamation of around 50 hectares of the Laoag River east of the Gilbert Bridge and South of the Holy Spirit Academy, which will be used a the new commercial center of the city for economic development and employment generation. Fariñas also mentioned that he has contacted San Miguel Corp. Chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco and SMC Pres. Ramon Ang for them to continue their plan to construct a SMC distribution center in Barangay Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. The said distribution center, according to Fariñas, will cover Regions I and II as he added that SMC has already acquired a property worth P6.5 million in the area. Fariñas furthered that these would be the two projects he would pursue should he be given a chance to serve the people of Ilocos Norte again. Meanwhile, Fariñas considers as a sign of insecurity the act of outgoing Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s warning to incumbent mayors that he would put up a candidate against them if they would not support his cousin’s—Keon—gubernatorial bid. He emphasized that what Marcos is doing is similar to what was being done during the old Martial Law-era Marcos regime. “This is one thing I don’t like that is happening to our province. Idi siyak iti gobernador for 10 years, awan pulos unopposed [candidate for] mayor because I respect the right of the people to select. I never exerted my influence,” Fariñas noted. Leilanie G. Adriano
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