Arroyo regime builds infra more than other administrations – Puno

By Danny O Sagun

Lingayen, Pangasinan (14 August) — The Arroyo administration has implemented more infrastructure projects than any other previous administrations, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno said Friday in a press conference here.

Puno, who came to this capital town to induct more than 13,500 members of the newly-formed barangay peacekeeping action teams (BPATs) from this big province, also revealed that the present administration performed “record-high” accomplishments in health, tourism and the economy. “Itong adminitrasyong ito ang nagligtas sa atin sa global economic meltdown dahil sa mga matapang na desisyon sa fiscal reforms,” he said.

The DILG secretary, who admitted that he has presented himself available for the second highest post in the land in the next elections, gave credit to the accomplishments of the predecessors of President Macapagal-Arroyo particularly on infrastructure projects. “Pero ang administrasyong Arroyo ang nakagawa ng mas maraming proyekto,” he stressed.

Asked if BPATs would be the same as that of the barangay auxiliary force or commonly known as tanod, Puno explained that members of the BPAT will engage only in peacekeeping functions like watching the neighborhood and reporting problems to concerned authorities like the police. The BPATs, he clarified, do not engage in police functions like going after criminals or defusing trouble. “Hindi sila inaasahang sumagupa o tugisin ang mga kriminal hindi kagaya ng mga tanod,” he said.

He allayed fears that the BPATs will only be used for political purposes. “Kung namili siguro ng mga barangay para magtatag ng BPAT, pero naorganisa ito sa lahat ng mga barangay. At kung may lalabag puede silang kasuhan, he said.

On his infomercials, Puno said that they were produced in order to inform the people of what are being done by the various government agencies like the DILG. “Kung wala yang infomercial ng DILG, sinong makakaalam na mayrong 3,000 na pulis na kinukuha taon-taon o kaya yong women;s desk sa mga istasyon ng pulis?” he asked.

“Ang ikinuwento ko yong ginagawa ng aking departamento, hindi kung ano yong sinakyan ko o buhay ko nong maliit pa ako,” he added in apparent dig to those infomercials produced for Senators Manuel Roxas and Manuel Villar.

He said he did not attend the Senate hearing called by Senator Miriam Santiago regarding his infomercials because of the BPAT mass induction. “Dahil mahal ko kayo kaya I am here,” he said as he jokingly noted that he was not courting the feisty lady senator. Puno is said to be a smart political operator who helped former President Fidel V. Ramos win the 1992 elections over Santiago.

In his opening remarks at the press conference, Puno praised Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for the facelift of the provincial Capitol compound. “I congratulate the governor and his administration. Sa lahat na ng napuntahan ko, at ito’y pang-anim na para sa mass induction ng BPAT, this is the cleanest, best-looking and best designed, and best in everything na Capitol,” he said to the delight of the governor who seated beside him.

Also on hand were Vice-Gov. Marlyn Agabas, first district Rep. Arthur Celeste and PNP Regional Director Ramon Gatan. (PIA Pangasinan)