PRIVILEGE SPEECH

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Maria Annabelle S. De Guzman

July 23, 2019

In James Chapter 1 Verses 19 to 20, it is said, My Dear brothers

and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow
to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not
produce the righteousness that God desires..”

Equally good looking gentlemen and my beauteous colleagues in

the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, but of course who led us all – our
dashing groovy debonair Vice Governor – an anger free greetings to
each and every one of us….

When I was reelected as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member for

the second time, I made a pledge with our people to do better, do
surpass our accomplishments in the 21st Sangguniang Panlalawigan. To
be a Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member not just on a Tuesday or
session day but 24/7. Not just sitting inside my office and waiting for
my 15-30 pay but make sure that I would go out and see for myself if
our policies really get implemented. Not just blabber in my privilege
speeches but make sure that I talk and consult with the rightful people.
These I believe is my best foot forward as a gesture of support
belonging in a powerful team headed by the Honorable Governor and
Vice-Governor.

Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer…I am not angry.

Just a day after a rather exhausting but eye-opening committee

hearing last week, I immediately went out for an ocular inspection and
see if the promises made by the contractors will really get
implemented. It was more than 5 of us Board Members who strongly
emphasized during that committee hearing to the contractors to
immediately install EWDs to their on-going road works….this is for the
obvious purpose, to prevent accidents from happening and to avoid any
casualties or damages to be sustained therein.

If I may Mr. Presiding Officer, these were the pictures taken

during the ocular inspection. (please make an adlib mam per picture)

Clearly they have not heed our “please.” EWDs installed did not
meet the DPWH standards. Mostly there were no reflectorized warning
signs and were not installed before actual excavated area on opposite
directions.

(After the adlib)

Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer…I am not angry.

Elected or not, to me this institution represented by its officials is

not just the seat of provincial power but the throne of compassion for
the people, the refuge of people from all walks of life…..the bearer and
foundation of statesmanship – that we should afford due diligence and
respect. What I saw was a blatant disregard to the principles of this
institution.

Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer…I am not angry. I have come to realize

that no matter how difficult for us to send the message that what we
are doing is not for our own vested interests but for the people of our
dear beloved province….no one can deter our motivation for continuing
what we have started in pursuing our advocacy to provide a safe access
to our roads for our motorists, commuting public and our tourists –
local and foreign.

Quite a few times in the 21st SP I have called for the issuance of
cease and desist order to contractors who blatantly disregard the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s order to install warning signages to on
going constructions but to no avail….to some it was not the right thing
to do, to many it was just a waste of time….Now I don’t want to think
that because of what had happened, we have become a “deadma” to
these contractors. They have been washed by the thought “wala din
mangyayari sa kangangawa ni Annabelle de Guzman…” We’ll they are
dead wrong.

I was quite touched with a line mentioned by President Duterte in

his SONA speech yesterday…we in the government talk too much, act
too little and too slow….I hope we can prove him wrong in the
Provincial Government of La Union particularly in the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan.

When we go out and monitor our roads, Mr. Presiding Officer,

yes, its not the cloak of a legislator that I wear. Yes, its quite an
executive function, but Mr. Presiding Officer we have a standing
ordinance on the issuance of indorsements to contractors who will
excavate along the national highway. We have specified guidelines for
them to follow….but they have blatantly disregarded what was written
in the conditions. We have suggested to cancel their permit but
….nalpas dan ton diay project da…we have yet to study the cancellation
as a sanction of their misdemeanor. Whom do we expect to monitor
the implementation of this ordinance, the police? The tanods? DPWH?
They say what you sow is what you reap….and what type of public
service we get? They say….you are whom you vote, in the same
manner, we are what we eat.

Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer. I am not angry.

Today, Mr. Presiding Officer I have submitted 2 draft ordinances

particularly the anti-obstruction ordinance and the EWD ordinance to
give more muscle and stronger and sharper teeth to our advocacy. This
is our contribution to providing safer road access to our motorists,
commuting public and especially our tourists both local and foreign.
This is our committee’s direct contribution and alignment to our vision.
 In this light, having said this, we would like to follow up what we
have requested from DPWH specially that the rainy season is here and
now…I am particularly referring to the pruning of trees and cutting off
dead trees along the right of way of national and provincial roads which
pose as obstructions thereof. Likewise, the still standing electric posts
of LUELCO and PLDT, which are likewise considered as obstructions –
we would like to know when will be the next batch of relocation.

We also wanted to know the planned programs of public utility

companies for the next 3 years if it would involve again excavations and
diggings on our national highways and provincial roads. From there, we
wanted to draw commitments and send the message without having to
get angry….

On another purpose Mr. Presiding Officer…

I would just like to report Mr. Presiding Officer that last Friday, we
were requested by the Honorable Governor to represent him during
the 28th Regional Anniversary of the BJMP. This representation received
for and on behalf of the Honorable Governor and the province an
award conferred by the BJMP for the PGLU’s contribution towards
modernization and improvement of our jail management programs and
services. It was an indeed both an honor and a privilege.

This brings me to my other issue which is the welfare of our

inmates. Mr. Presiding Officer, even violators of the law do have human
rights too….As we move on with our legislative tasks, moving from the
roads to the cells, Mr. Presiding Officer, we would like to be informed
of their conditions and know from there what legislative measure could
appropriately be proposed.

At this point….I rest my blabbers, but only my mouth, Mr.

Presiding Officer….My heart will continue beating for the welfare of our
people, my mind will continue to think for better ways to improve our
delivery of public service, my hands and arms will continue to reach out
to the most in need. I pray that we will be used by God as instruments
of peace and genuine public service….

And yes Mr. Presiding Officer, I am not angry.