When no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said recently that the various economic zones in the country are open to all investors, I immediately thought of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).
Looking back, credit goes to senior statesman and now 100 - year old Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile for the creation of CEZA when he authored Republic Act 7922, otherwise known as the “Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.” CEZA’s jurisdiction is a whopping 54,000 hectares of forest land, rice land, and agricultural vastness which also includes a 155-kilometer coastline.
Other than being an economic zone, it is also a gaming corporation with the mandate to operate on its own as it is a viable hub for investments for tourism businesses and FinTech services, thus boosting employment opportunities in the country.
And continuing JPE’s legacy is the competent leadership of its current administration headed by his daughter Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile, Administrator and CEO of CEZA. Secretary Katrina or “KPE” to many who know her, will turn this place around from a sleepy freeport to a booming business center.
CEZA comes with a new mandate under the younger Secretary Enrile (there are now two Secretary Enriles in PBBM’s administration). Katrina will be embarking on the diversification of CEZA’s portfolio – exploring new areas beyond just gaming. She will develop a tourism center for local and foreign visitors, health and wellness, food security and power generation, among several other plans she has for the 54,000-hectare “last frontier” of the country.
Aligned with the Marcos administration’s vision, CEZA is committed to develop robust infrastructure projects that will enhance the freeport’s investment potential. It will construct more roads and modern facilities for the public which will include an industrial park with ultra-modern amenities.
CEZA will surely be paving the way for the President’s Bagong Pilipinas. With her in this wonderful endeavor is an indefatigable team of experts working hard for the success of the freeport which include Deputy Administrators Perla Tumaliuan and Marichelle De Guzman, CoS Carlos Miguel Hernandez, and aviation’s Qatar-trained top gun Myra Leido, among several other business-worthy personnel.
Hence, and I repeat, with the President’s pronouncement that the country’s economic zones are open, and in support of his position which makes CEZA an upcoming economic hub with a huge income potential, I couldn’t help but inject the pun “open CEZA me” on this bit of good news for the country.
Of sourgrapes and balimbings
What is it with some Pinoys that each time they are not favored with a presidential appointment or a renewal of one’s contract of services, they immediately resort to name-calling and ad hominem attacks on the appointing authority?
In this case, the First Couple is a favorite target of the Duterte fanatics. They mock the First Lady for her facial appearance and the President for his ‘ngiwi.’ If only they looked at themselves longer in the mirror, then they would probably stop.
That is why I recently reacted by saying that I will not go down to their gutter level of discourse but instead rise above and debate them on more important matters like: who suffers more, an elephant with a runny nose or a giraffe with a sore throat?
Nevertheless, the issue is the President’s action rescinding the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and his alleged involvement in the use of a prohibited drug.
Here's hoping we stop the name calling and stick to the issues at hand because the Chinese have been laughing at us for our silly antics.
House of Representathieves?
There’s this Spanish proverb that goes like this: “How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards.”
It always seems to many of us that our Filipino legislators are always busy everyday tackling matters of national interest. Meetings here, meetings there. Well, that’s not all entirely true.
Truth is, many of these congressmen spend more hours talking about pork barrels, mistresses, and golf. They also talk about the latest SUVs and interest rates, not to mention the latest Richard Mille wristwatches.
Also, the all-time fave Lacoste shirts which really suits them well. I wonder, does that tiny crocodile on the shirt have a direct link to their lifestyles? Most of the time, we see them on our streets with flashy imports and gas-guzzling SUVs bullying their way through traffic sporting the No. 8 plates.
Sometimes, these vehicles even pass via the designated bus lanes. It will be a cold day in hell when I actually see a No. 8 vehicle obey a traffic light.
Okay, I may be exaggerating but you know what I mean.
So, lawbreakers in disguise as lawmakers? But the good news is that no less than the President himself has recently ordered the ban for these low-numbered plates so often abused by the ones who bear them.
Nevertheless, a congressman’s normal life is a life of luxury and influence. He gets the best table in a restaurant, the best seats in a theater, the best tickets to a concert, and the best-looking umbrella girl on a golf course. He gets the first billing in a wedding invitation, which means he is also one of the first VIPs to kiss the bride.
When in a bank, he doesn’t get to fall in line like the rest of us ordinary bank clients. He is a "preferred client," as BPI proudly advertises it. He gets the immediate attention of the bank manager, otherwise, he gets to deposit his millions to another bank next door.
A congressman isn’t subject to a body search whenever he enters a mall. He is saluted snappily by security guards on duty. He gets a steady supply of Viagra and Cialis from his personal physician, and always, the best room with the best view in any 5-star hotel around town.
No wonder many of us would make it a career in life to be a congressman, spending huge sums of money to buy votes and air time. To get elected no matter the cost, because when elected, he can easily get back that money spent via pay-offs, bribes, and kickback from projects in their districts.
Oh and, he also gets to be addressed as “honorable.” Of course, I find this difficult to just swallow hook, line, and sinker because most of the time they do the exact opposite.
And by the way, the only time they tell the truth is when they call each other “liar.”
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