Veteran broadcaster Deng Pangilinan officially made the jump into politics on Monday, October 4, after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) vying as an independent mayoral candidate of Mabalacat City in the 2022 National and Local Synchronized Elections.
As part of his yearly devotion, “Deng” attended the 9:00 am mass celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, then he filed his COC at 10:00 am at a local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office followed by a press conference at Bale-Balita, Clark Freeport Zone.
He does not have an official line up from vice-mayor to city councilors but he will support reelectionists congressman Carmelo Jon Lazatin (1D-Pampanga), governor Dennis Delta Pineda, and vice-governor Lilia Nanay Pineda.
During the meeting with members of the press, “Deng” itemized his platforms of government or 7-point working agenda that would bring tangible impact on improving the living conditions of the Mabalaquenos:
- ECONOMY
-Streamlining of the business registration system / Implement “Easing Doing Business”Schemes
-Develop global partnership for growth and development (e.g. Clark freeport investors and international aid agencies)
-Assurance of socio-economic sustainability (investment and tourism promotions, job generation)
-Strategic alliance and partnership with NGOs, private sector and volunteers to provide livelihood and other skills trainings
-Implement affordable and doable PPAs (programs, projects & activities) - EDUCATION -Achieve universal primary education (Provide free gadgets and wifi for learners and educators, risograph machines and other printing equipment, supplies and materials)
- HEALTH
-COVID19 response (Modern and well equipped isolation facilities, Ronda and Sundo Bakuna in the barangay level), Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
-Protect maternal health
-Reduce child mortality - PEACE AND ORDER
-Crime prevention & war on drugs
-Strengthen barangay peace and order councils
-Maximize police visibility
-Effective Traffic Management (traffic signalization, speed restrictions, parking system) - SOCIAL SERVICES
-Establishment of a locally funded home for the homeless senior citizens, and street children;
-Financial aids and medical assistance to senior citizens, persons w/ disabilities and solo parents
-Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger (e.g. Rice subsidy, home-based livelihood)
-Promote gender equality - ENVIRONMENT
-Ensure environmental sustainability (e.g. Effective water waste treatment and management)
-Disaster preparedness and management
-Massive tree planting - GOOD GOVERNANCE
-Fight corruption
-Public accountability -Transparency in procurement and public bidding
-Strong and harmonious executive–legislative relationship
“Deng” was among the prime movers in the conversion of the municipality of Mabalacat into a city, and the creation of the Mabalacat City College. He spearheaded the annual 1st Caragan Festival and he was also instrumental as TWG member for the establishment of the Mabalacat City Bus Terminal in Barangay Dau. He also pushed for the direct remittance of the gross income earned (GIE) shares of Mabalacat from the Clark Freeport Zone. He also played a major role in the modernization of the Mabalacat Water District as chairman of the board. Currently he is the communications officer of the Angeles City Government and main anchor of Mayor Pogi Lazatin’s Lingkod Bayan program.
Deng started as a newspaperman in 1988 in the Central Luzon Times, The Voice, Headline Central Luzon and Punto Central Luzon, then from 1992-1994 he became a broadcaster at GVFM then transferred to RWFM 95.1 in 1995. Deng was elected four times as president of the Pampanga Press Club, and an active member of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodcaster ng Pilipinas. He is also the founder of the reigning number one news portal iOrbitnNews Online in Central Luzon, which recently received a plaque of recognition from the Chevalier School-Sacred Heart Seminary Alumni Association for the factual coverage on the issue of Chevalier’s continued existence and educational service within the metro Clark area, including Mabalacat City.