Top 8

In 2012, Edgardo Pamintuan, Mayor of Angeles City, Pampanga, was ranked eighth in the annual World Mayor rankings. This came as a call for pride for Angeleños and even more so Kapampangans. Even Oscar Rodriguez, mayor of the City of San Fernando, also lauded Pamintuan with his honor, calling it, “another feather in the cap of Kapampangans and Filipinos.” This prize, though just Top 8, was advertised prominently in the streets of Angeles. Posters and banners hailing Pamintuan for his award stood in almost every intersection of the main roads. It was appealing at first but people are missing something. Just because a mayor receives an honorary title, a “Top 8” title for that matter, doesn’t mean that the city which he governs is all fine and dandy.

Whether the World Mayor stands as a credible source of merit-worthy government officials or not, there are is larger portion of Ed Pamintuan mayoral rule that must be put into question. World Mayor, according to their website, “honours mayors with the vision, passion and skills to make their cities incredible places to live in, work in and visit.” As welcoming as Angeles may seem with all the sisig and food galore, it’s a tainted city, and it’s a city that is in need of a lot of deep cleaning.

Angeles City is my home town, and I’m proud of that, but to recognize it for something it really isn’t, especially in its local government, is something to be shameful for. Since 2010, Pamintuan has been on the mayoral seat of Angeles City, and to be fair, he has indeed done some good for the city: improved infrastructure, more planted trees and “affordable” healthcare, to name a few. As much as Angeles City has been considered an urbanized city, it still has a lot of kinks that must be fixed. First of all, a city is not that worth visiting when crime is on high every night and the police constantly neglect their duties to enforce the law and protect its people. You can make the roads pretty, you can garnish the streets with thousands of trees, but if crime stays where it is, no one would dare walk out on those streets.

Angeles City has a pretty good publicity team that’s for sure: not one week passes by without new banners and posters coming out saying how proud we all must be for being Angeleños. It’s just a manner of priority. To me it seems that there is more focus on the beautification of the city rather than reinforcing the safety of its people. A lot of the city’s potential is lost due to mentioned high crime. In terms of educational potential, Angeles University Foundation (AUF) and Holy Angel University (HAU) are two of the top schools in Central Luzon, garnering numerous students from neighboring provinces. AUF in particular is known for its law school and medicinal courses. Yet, many students from other provinces come for their education for a gamble, with many living in shady dormitories beside the school, an area home to many crimes every night. Incidents of gunfights, robberies, and stabbing are reported weekly yet our mayor being recognized as “Top 8” seems to be enough to take great pride for our city.

Secondly, majority of people continue to ignore the still thriving sex business in the city. Day in, day out, women are out and about selling their body for some good time with a foreigner. Angeles City has been dubbed the “entertainment” capital of the Philippines due to this thriving sex business. If this is what World Mayor meant for “incredible places to live in, work in and visit,” then they have to re-evaluate their criteria. Is a thriving sex industry something a mayor should be proud of? Well, maybe in some countries, but if this is what Pamintuan wanted then good for him.

Local governments are the bridges that connect its people to the national government. All issues, policies and welfare of the local governments will reflect on to the national government. If local government continuously fails in its core functions , then the tuwid na daan will never be realized. Pamintuan has made a motto for Angeles City, “Agyu Tamu!” which is actually one other good thing he’s given the city (it translates to “We can do this!”) and I really believe that we can. It’s just the matter of facing reality – yes, Angeles City is a growing thriving city. But it still has a long way to go. Honoring the mayor a “Top 8” won’t cleanse off the dirt. If it’s anything, “Top 8” is actually good enough, but are we even “Top 8?” No, not even close. So to sir Pamintuan, I wish you best in the remainder of your term. To wider streets and plenty trees!