Cayetano proposes establishment of Pangasinan airport

Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday proposed the establishment of the Pangasinan Airport, saying the biggest province in the North should have an airport of its own.

“As a Senator, I traveled around the country many times, and sometimes, kapag malayo, you try to fly. Y’un ang tinatanong ko parati: sa Norte naman ang pinakamalaking probinsya, Pangasinan, and as I said, New York naman and Washington have two airports each. Bakit wala?” Cayetano said in his visit to the farmers of San Carlos City and sari-sari store owners of Dagupan City, Pangasinan on July 6.

(As a Senator, I traveled around the country many times, and sometimes, when the destination is far, I try to fly. I remember that was a frequent question at the time: Pangasinan is the biggest province up North, so why is there not an airport in the province?)

Cayetano was in San Carlos City to join a listening tour with some of the rice farmers situated in Barangay Mamarlaw and to distribute 10K Ayuda to 20 farmers.

He was also in Dagupan City to introduce the “Alan Sari-sari Store Community” program to 100 sari-sari store owners based in the locality.

“If you remember, nasabi ko a few months ago na now that the presidentiables are starting to talk about 2022, hinahamon ko — actually, ine-encourage at saka chinachallenge — na magsama-sama para magbuo ng five-year economic plan, because paulit-ulit na lang eh. I noticed, election after election, pare-pareho na lang. Why? Kasi walang plano,” he added.

(If you remember, I said a few months ago that now that the presidentiables are starting to talk about 2022, I am encouraging and challenging them to join in the development of a five-year economic plan because things have become repetitive. I noticed, election after election, people are proposing the same thing. Why? Because there is no plan.)

He stressed that while a number of government officials may come forward with appealing platforms, it is the institutions that are mandated to plan for the country.

“My point is we underestimate planning. Na-eexcite tayo kapag may magandang plataporma y’ung pulitiko (We get excited when someone comes up with an appealing platform), but remember, the politician, even if he wins, he’s not the institution. The institutions have to do the planning – agriculture, education, sports, health, etc., and it should be in a five-year plan para hindi tayo nanghuhula (so we do not have to guess),” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said he is prepared to discuss the five-year economic plan to anyone who is willing to cooperate in its development.

In his previous statements, Cayetano said the government should have a “1-2-3 punch” strategy including the Bayanihan 3 with 10K Ayuda, the five-year economic plan, and a 2022 budget that is “against COVID-19.”

He said the distribution of the 10K Ayuda should not be a one-time event and should be included in the five-year economic plan as an annual program for at least three years.

Cayetano was joined by Taguig City 2nd District Rep. Ma. Laarni “Lani” Cayetano, Pangasinan 4th District Christopher “Toff” De Venecia, and Rep. De Venecia’s mother, former Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Maria Georgina “Gina” De Venecia.