E·N·Q·U·I·R·Y
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL
Operation ACRE MAN
Sunday, 05 11, 2008
That captures in three words the gestating platform of government of Bishop Norberto L. Mercado of the Council of Overseers of the Nation’s Evangelization. Mercado just recently launched his own political party, the Alliance for Progress, in preparation for the elections in 2010.
Mr. Leo Urbanes Beligan, Esq. of Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur, now a highly successful law practitioner in the Beligan & Amosin Law Offices in Los Angeles, California, has requested to have his pitch for Mercado to be published in this column. I cannot say no to Beligan, whom we worked with in past electoral contests in the Solid North. So, here goes:
“The election of Bishop Fernando Lugo last April 20, 2008 as President of Paraguay has encouraged Bishop Norberto L. Mercado to make a try at the presidency of the Philippines in 2010. That of the quixotic try in 2004 of Bishop Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement and his political party, Bangon Pilipinas, is another. In these hard times, where every politician of every conceivable shade offers himself or herself as an alternative to Gloria Arroyo, and not one appears to capture the imagination of no one that this or that politician will be any better than Arroyo, it will surprise no one if, aside from Mercado, more bishops, priests, pastors, including nuns, will aspire for elective posts. Indeed, do not be surprised if the voters will start eyeing a religious leader to lead the country after Arroyo.
“Mercado, a native of Ramos, Tarlac where he says the government seems to be nowhere, and even never felt at all, advocates a government that will focus on: [1] Increasing real family income by eliminating the income tax and the real estate taxes; 2] Accelerating business growth; [3] Making the government richer by improving and maximizing tax collections; and [4] Reducing unemployment through the " From Middle to Bottom Strategy" and improving productivity
“The key to a Mercado presidency is less direct taxes and a strong focus on indirect taxes. Mercado seeks to reduce taxes on power and electricity, oil, gasoline, and petroleum products.
“Mercado has formulated ‘Operation ACRE MAN’, - a catchy play at words, hoping to capture the attention of the citizenry. Through this, Mercado has identified the "Flagship Industries" which he will concentrate on, and which he expects will bring our nation better returns on investment, thus:
“’A’ for the Agriculture industry. Mercado envisions the country as the number one rice producer in the ASEAN, intending to transform Palawan and Mindanao into rice granaries, together with the plains of Central Luzon.
“’C’ for the Communications industry and the Construction industry. Mercado foresees the agriculture sector assisted in its production and marketing efforts through information technology. A further support to agriculture will come from improved public works, with focus on the construction of irrigations, deep wells, roads and bridges.
“’R’ for a Revitalized tourism industry . The potential of this industry is unlimited. Aside from the heavy emphasis on the natural wonders the country can offer, Mercado envisions expansion to Agri-tourism, Medical tourism, Eco-tourism and Cultural tourism.
“’E’ for the Energy industry. For a country heavily dependent on oil imports, it is time to develop alternative sources of energy. Mercado foresees heavy investments in the development of solar, water and wind power. With reliance on bio-fuels resulting to a massive loss of hectarage otherwise devoted to food production, Mercado abhors this "Food to Fuel" type of energy.
“’M’ for the Mining industry. We have the richest lode possibly in the whole of Asia, and Mercado sees this vastly untapped resource as a rich source of income. Mercado rues the role of foreign entrepreneurs in this industry, and sees local entrepreneurs at the helm given the proper incentives.
“’A’ for the Aquatic and Livestock industry. Food. Food. Food. And more food for our people. Mercado sees those hitherto unexploited sources of food for the populace. They abound, yet no one seems to mind. The Agriculture & Fisheries Modernization Act and the Fisheries Code have largely been ignored, and Mercado sees their full implementation as the answer to the lack of food in the countryside.
“’N’ for a National Defense sector that is self-reliant and increasingly involved in nation building. Mercado envisions the planes being used for agriculture, e.g., cloud-seeding, the boats for patrol and relief operations, and ships to transport goods and people, and to complement the aquatic industry.
“Mercado has his work cut out for him. He is not a traditional politician, but he does have ideas that will possibly work. He does not carry any baggage that otherwise does violence to the best of intentions of many of the declared presidentiables. He has cobbled up a coalition representing all sectors, and has tapped representatives of every ethnic, religious, civic, professional and other groups from Batanes to Jolo. If Mercado and his political party, the Alliance for Progress, work hard enough between now and the start of the campaign period in 2010, Mercado might just capture the imagination of many of our people longing to get relief from the administration of Arroyo.”
With that kind of piece for a virtual unknown like Mercado, Beligan may just end up as the presidential spokesman in a Mercado presidency.
For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
“The key to a Mercado presidency is less direct taxes and a strong focus on indirect taxes. Mercado seeks to reduce taxes on power and electricity, oil, gasoline, and petroleum products.
“Mercado has formulated ‘Operation ACRE MAN’, - a catchy play at words, hoping to capture the attention of the citizenry. Through this, Mercado has identified the "Flagship Industries" which he will concentrate on, and which he expects will bring our nation better returns on investment, thus:
“’A’ for the Agriculture industry. Mercado envisions the country as the number one rice producer in the ASEAN, intending to transform Palawan and Mindanao into rice granaries, together with the plains of Central Luzon.
“’C’ for the Communications industry and the Construction industry. Mercado foresees the agriculture sector assisted in its production and marketing efforts through information technology. A further support to agriculture will come from improved public works, with focus on the construction of irrigations, deep wells, roads and bridges.
“’R’ for a Revitalized tourism industry . The potential of this industry is unlimited. Aside from the heavy emphasis on the natural wonders the country can offer, Mercado envisions expansion to Agri-tourism, Medical tourism, Eco-tourism and Cultural tourism.
“’E’ for the Energy industry. For a country heavily dependent on oil imports, it is time to develop alternative sources of energy. Mercado foresees heavy investments in the development of solar, water and wind power. With reliance on bio-fuels resulting to a massive loss of hectarage otherwise devoted to food production, Mercado abhors this "Food to Fuel" type of energy.
“’M’ for the Mining industry. We have the richest lode possibly in the whole of Asia, and Mercado sees this vastly untapped resource as a rich source of income. Mercado rues the role of foreign entrepreneurs in this industry, and sees local entrepreneurs at the helm given the proper incentives.
“’A’ for the Aquatic and Livestock industry. Food. Food. Food. And more food for our people. Mercado sees those hitherto unexploited sources of food for the populace. They abound, yet no one seems to mind. The Agriculture & Fisheries Modernization Act and the Fisheries Code have largely been ignored, and Mercado sees their full implementation as the answer to the lack of food in the countryside.
“’N’ for a National Defense sector that is self-reliant and increasingly involved in nation building. Mercado envisions the planes being used for agriculture, e.g., cloud-seeding, the boats for patrol and relief operations, and ships to transport goods and people, and to complement the aquatic industry.
“Mercado has his work cut out for him. He is not a traditional politician, but he does have ideas that will possibly work. He does not carry any baggage that otherwise does violence to the best of intentions of many of the declared presidentiables. He has cobbled up a coalition representing all sectors, and has tapped representatives of every ethnic, religious, civic, professional and other groups from Batanes to Jolo. If Mercado and his political party, the Alliance for Progress, work hard enough between now and the start of the campaign period in 2010, Mercado might just capture the imagination of many of our people longing to get relief from the administration of Arroyo.”
With that kind of piece for a virtual unknown like Mercado, Beligan may just end up as the presidential spokesman in a Mercado presidency.
For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
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