Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda recently recognized the role of the business sector in rebuilding the province from the devastation of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991.
Pineda said that the Kapampangans could not have made it without the help of the local businessmen, who poured in resources, time and manpower to assist the victims and recover damaged properties from 1991 until now.
“Malaki ang tulong sa atin ng mga nasa business sector dahil mula nuong mismong nangyari ang trahedya, nandiyan na sila.
Kakaunti lang ang magagawa ng gubyerno kung wala ang mga local businessmen natin na bukas-palad sa pagbibigay suporta sa mga Kapampangan kagaya nila Mr. Levy Laus,” Pineda said. Levy Laus is the chair and CEO of the Laus Group of Companies (LGC) and chairman emeritus of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Pamcham).
“Talagang malaki ang partisipasyon nila sa pagbangon ng prubinsya. At ngayon sa selebrasyon natin sa 25th year ng Pinatubo, sila ulit ang nagmamalasakit para magawa ang mga proyekto kagaya nung Pinatubo monument na ipapatayo natin,” the governor added.
Members of the Save San Fernando Foundation, Inc. (SSFI), Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan Inc. (FLKI) or also known as Save Pampanga Movement, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Pamcham) and the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MACCII) have continuously supported the government’s programs and projects for rebuilding and rehabilitation.
For 25 years now, most of the development in country-side industries, local real estate development, retail and other areas of businesses were dedicated to employing thousands of Kapampangans.
In earlier interviews with local businessmen, they said that when the Pinatubo erupted in 1991 and in the immediate years after, many left the province but there are several brave souls that opted to stay and revive the business community. To name a few, the Laus family of the LGC, the Lazatins of San Fernando who own SFELAPCO, the Dizons who own St. Catherine Real Estate, the Nepomucenos of Angeles City who own Angeles Electric Corp. (AEC) and Holy Angel University, the Suarez-Henson clan that own several subdivisions in Angeles City and other members of MACCII and Pamcham.
Pineda said that it is only but fitting to recognize the role of the business sector and honor them for their efforts. Recently, some 200 personalities from the government, business sector, media and religious organizations and international community were honored curing the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Pinatubo.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos was also recognized even as he also served as the guest of honor during the commemoration held at the Laus Event Center last June 15.
“Nagdaan man ang mga taon, ngunit hindi natin dapat na limuting magpasalamat sa mga taong nagmalasakit, nag-alay ng kanilang talino at panahon para sa muling pagbangon ng ating lalawiga,” the governor said.
June 15 was also declared as a special non-working day in Pampanga and Angeles City through Proclamation No. 1259, s. 2016.