TACLOBAN CITY – The history of Leyte is an inspiration for former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson in ensuring a better future not only for residents of Leyte but for all Filipinos.
In his speech at the rally of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial bets here Friday evening, Lacson said he will use his experience, qualification and competence to serve should he win a Senate seat in May.
“Should I be given a chance to serve as senator, I will continue my faithful service using my experience, qualifications and competence,” he said in Filipino.
“And you can rest assured I will continue to be the watchdog of our coffers to make sure the people of Tacloban, Leyte and other parts of our country will benefit from our public funds by way of food on the table, money for tuition, and free medicine,” he added.
Related: Ping Lacson: Kasaysayan ng Leyte, Inspirasyon Ko para Tiyakin ang Kinabukasan ng Pinoy
Lacson cited two events that helped shape the history not only of Leyte or of the Philippines, but the whole world.
The first, on Oct. 20, 1944, was the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur to liberate Filipinos from foreign invaders during World War II – with the help of the courageous Warays of Leyte.
The second, on Nov. 8, 2013, was the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that left more than 6,000 dead, 18,000 injured and more than 11,000 missing.
Lacson served as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, during which he crafted a comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation plan and coordinated the actions of government and the private sector to help those affected by Yolanda.
With Lacson’s efforts, the private sector helped in rebuilding houses, donating fishing boats, and other aspects of rehabilitation.
Despite limited resources, Lacson and his staff completed in a record six months a Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) containing 18,648 programs, activities and projects to aid in the rehabilitation and recovery.
“The private sector played a key role to speed up the rehabilitation not only of Tacloban but also other provinces affected by Yolanda,” he said.
*****
Ping Lacson: Kasaysayan ng Leyte, Inspirasyon Ko para Tiyakin ang Kinabukasan ng Pinoy
TACLOBAN CITY – Para kay dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, inspirasyon ang kasaysayan ng Leyte para sa kanyang pagsikap sa pagtiyak ng magandang kinabukasan hindi lamang para sa mga taga-Leyte pero para sa lahat ng Pilipino.
Sa talumpati niya sa rally ng Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial bets dito nitong Biyernes ng gabi, iginiit ni Lacson na gagamitin niya ang kanyang karanasan, kwalipikasyon, at kakayahan para magsilbi kung manalo siya sa Mayo.
“Kung ako ang inyong pagbibigyang muli maglingkod bilang senador ng ating bansa, ipagpapatuloy ko ang aking matapat na tungkulin sa pamamagitan ng aking karanasan, kwalipikasyon at competence,” aniya.
“At ito ay maasahan ninyo. Ako ang inyong magpapatuloy na magbabantay sa kaban ng bayan upang meron kayong pagkain sa hapag kainan, may pang tustos sa pag aaral, at may libreng gamot. Sisiguraduhin kong papakinabangan ang kaban ng bayan ng taga Tacloban, Leyte at iba’t ibang lalawigan sa ating bansa,” dagdag niya.
Dalawang pangyayari ang itinuring ni Lacson na humubog sa kasaysayan hindi lang ng Leyte o ng Pilipinas, kundi ang buong mundo.
Ang una noong ika-20 ng Oktubre 1944 ay ang pagbalik ni Gen. Douglas MacArthur para palayain ang mga Pilipino sa mga mananakop noong World War II – kasama ang tulong ng matatapang na Waray ng Leyte.
Ang pangalawa, sa ika-8 ng Nobyembre 2013, ang pagsalanta ng Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) na nag-iwan ng higit 6,000 patay, 18,000 sugatan at 11,000 nawawala.
Nagsilbi bilang Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery si Lacson. Dito ay nakabuo siya ng comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation plan at nag-coordinate ng galaw ng gobyerno at private sector para tulungan ang mga nasalanta.
Dahil sa ginawa ni Lacson, malaki ang naitulong ng private sector sa pagtayo ng bahay, pag-donate ng fishing boats, at ibang aspeto ng rehabilitasyon.
Sa kabila ng kakulangan ng pondo at kagamitan, nabuo din ni Lacson at ng kanyang staff sa anim na buwan ang Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) na may 18,648 programa, activities at proyekto para tumulong sa rehabilitasyon.
“Malaki ang naitulong para mapabilis ang rehabilitation, hindi lang ng Tacloban kundi ang ibang lalawigan na tinamaan ng bagyong Yolanda,” aniya.
*****