CANDABA, Pampanga — “Candaba Community College will soon rise here.”
This was the conviction of former Mayor Rene Maglanque as he stressed that provision of quality and affordable education is his priority program should he be given the chance to get the highest elected position in this town this coming midterm election on May 13.
This early, Maglanque solicited the assistance of incumbent Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, gubernatorial bet of Kambilan Party and 4th District Re-electionist Congressman Juan Pablo ‘Rimpy’ Bondoc who both promised to help for the establishment of a community college or the extension of Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) here if they will be given the chance this coming election.
In response, Vice Governor Delta vowed to bring the programs and services of the Capitol closer to the youth and the people of this town.
“Anak, ‘wag kayong mag-alala, kung papalarin tayo ngayon eleksyon, hindi ko kayo papabayaan, ilalapit ko mga programa at mga proyekto ng Kapitolyo dito sa Candaba,” the vice governor said.
For the meantime that they are still planning for the establishment of a college here, Delta assured all the Grade 12 Senior High School students in the public schools who are beneficiaries of Educational Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) of the Capitol will be given priority should they pursue their college education.
For his part, Congressman Bondoc assured that if there is a need to sponsor a House Bill supporting the establishment of a college here with funding support from the national government, he will love to do so to show the great importance of finishing a college education in ensuring the bright future of the youth.
On the part of the provincial government, 4th District Board Member Pol Balingit, a proud college scholar of the Bondocs said he will personally sponsor a resolution or an ordinance for this purpose with corresponding funding allocation to support the vision of having a college in this agricultural town.
As this developed, the vice governor and the 4th district congressman distributed the educational assistance of the provincial government amounting to P2.1 million or P2,500 each to some 853 beneficiaries at Candaba Miss Earth Park.
Among the EFAP beneficiaries in this town are as follows: 120 from Salapungan High School; 80 from Mandili High School; 326 from Pasig National High School; 68 Mapaniqui High School; 222 from Bahay Pare National High School; and 37 from Tagulod High School.
Others who attended the distribution of financial assistance are 4th District Board Member Nelson Calara, 3rd District Board Member Rosve Henson, Incumbent Mayor Danilo Baylon, and Vice- Mayor Michael B Sagum, other members of the municipal councils, and other local candidates. —
LUISSE RUTAO