Transfer capital to Clark

The Commission on Population said internal migration is causing the increase of population in Metro Manila and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).

It suggests employment opportunities be created in the provinces.

Metro Manila’s traffic problem can also be solved if the congestion is reduced.

Thus, the most logical solution is to move the government center out of Metro Manila which is vulnerable to earthquake.

This solution has been adopted by Brazil, Australia, Malaysia Turkey, Pakistan, and Canada who moved their capitals out of congested Rio de Janeiro to Brazilia; Montreal to Ottawa; two main cities of Melbourne and Sydney to Canberra; Istanbul to Ankara; Karachi to Islamabad; and Kuala Lumpur to Putra Jaya, a new capital site.

The logical choice would be to move the capital from Manila to Clark which has more than 30,000 hectares of available land for new construction, including housing.

Clark has existing electric and water systems, paved roads and ready-made government buildings.

In addition, you have a bigger airport with wide runways.

Government departments can be dispersed to other cities within one hour of travel from Clark. Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Agrarian Reform (DAR) can be moved to the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) campus in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The Department of National Defense (DND) can be relocated to Camp Aquino in Tarlac, Tarlac. Also, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can be relocated to Tarlac or Rosales, Pangasinan.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) can be situated in Subic Bay, together with the Department of Tourism (DoT). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) can stay in Manila.

Affordable housing projects can be built with government land in the Bamban-Capas area of Clark.

The transfer of the capital to Clark will shorten the travel time to Baguio, Northern Luzon and Cagayan Valley, thus ensuring faster development of Regions I, II, and III.

A more efficient mass transit system can be established in the Greater Clark Area.

Moreover, there was a study of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Nature that Angeles City, including Clark Freeport, identified as the “least vulnerable” to disasters among 12 cities. Since Metro Manila sits along the Marikina West Valley Fault, urban development experts are pushing for the creation of the so-called Metro Clark Urban Development Planning Agency.

Does the government need to wait for a big earthquake, with a huge cost in lives, to give them a strong political will or effort to move government offices and people away from the crowded Metro Manila area?

The move is timely with the election of a new President by May.

Binay ratings surge

The approval ratings of Vice President Jejomar Binay rose 9 percent, from 43 percent to 52 percent, in the latest Pulse Asia survey in December.

His trust ratings also rose 10 percent to 49 percent, from 39 percent in Septmber.

Across areas, Binay’s approval ratings went up to 49% from 36% in the Visayas; 52% up from 44% in Mindanao; 55% from 47% in the rest of Luzon; and 46% from 41% in Metro Manila.

Binay’s biggest increase was recorded among Class ‘E’ voters at 66% from 46%.

Explaining the surge in her father’s ratings, Senator Nancy Binay said that people may be starting to realize the accusations against his father were just lies.

Binay’s trust ratings improved in the Visayas from 31% to 43%, the rest of Luzon from 43% to 49%, and Metro Manila from 38% to 46%.

Among Class ‘E’ voters, Binay’s trust ratings improved from 44% to 62%.

Questionable mistake

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Christian Robert Lim have been nominated to represent the Comelec before the Supreme Court (SC).

In their pleading before the SC, the Comelec asserted its findings that Senator Grace Poe lied about her citizenship and qualification to run for President in the May election.

“Inconsistencies in Poe’s declarations, with respect to her residency, are strong unmistakable indications of her intent and attempt to deliberately misrepresent a material matter in her Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

Commissioner Guanzon said in their voluminous pleadings: “The ruling of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) does not bind the Comelec. It is not a legal precedent. The SET ruling cannot circumvent nor does it preclude the Comelec from making a contrary conclusion based on applicable law and jurisprudence.”

“How can Comelec be then considered to have capriciously and whimsically exercised its discretion, when its decision was arrived at with due regard to its rules, after hearing, with full appreciation of the pieces of evidence present, and after a thorough study of the pertinent laws and jurisprudence?” the Comelec said.

The Comelec further said they are not buying Poe’s claim of committing an “honest mistake,” reiterating that she indeed made a material misrepresentation in her COC.

Hotel owner shot dead

Jussein San Juan, 36, owner of Junction Inn Mansion Hotel in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, was shot dead by a killer who posed himself as a guest inside his hotel.

SPO3 Carmelito Silvino, 52, was shot dead while tending his stall at Bagong Silang Market in Caloocan City.

Retired SPO1 Sadino Atenta, 58, was shot dead by three men inside his house in Brgy. Pasong Tamo, Quezon City.

Also in Quezon City, Barangay Kagawad Anacleto de Torres shot dead Rodney Dianon, 69, and his son Raymund in Brgy. Santol.

Barangay Chairman Pexon Mangansakan was shot dead in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Lewis Yakich, owner of Hotel Lewis Grand Hotel in Angeles City, has been missing since November 7 last year. The search for him has not yielded any leads.

Tidbits

Condolence to the family of entertainer German Moreno, who passed away yesterday at St. Lukes Hospital. He was the consummate entertainer and star maker for over 50 years.