FORMER SEC. LINA LAUDS DBI

Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. was lauded by former Secretary Jose D. Lina, Jr. of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the association’s various civic, religious and humanitarian activities for the past twenty years. This has been the gist of his inspirational message to the big crowd of Buluseños who attended the Pista sa Maynila celebration last July 11 at the Knights of Columbus Clubhouse where he was the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

His compliments were based on the list of accomplishments of DBI which was published in one of the previous issues of the Damayan-Buluseño Gazette. What impressed him more is the regular monthly mass since 1981 which has not yet been done by any other town organization, and the various forms of service the association extends to the community especially the masses.

He urged the officers and members of DBI to continue with its mission for the glory of God.

In response to his very inspiring message, Rogelio F. Fuentes, DBI president, appreciated the very kind gesture shown by the former secretary for honoring their invitation despite his very hectic schedule.

Former Sec. Lina won the admiration of the Buluseños because of his eloquence in public speaking and his sterling record as public servant of national stature which remains unmatched by most of our leaders today.

From being an active street parliamentarian at the age of 17 during the martial law days, he rose to become the Governor of Metro-Manila and General Manager of Metro-Manila Commission under the administration of then President Corazon Aquino. In the election that followed, he was elected the youngest senator. For two terms, he served in the Senate and earned for him the honor of being the Number Two in terms of accomplishments by the Senate Policy Review and Research Division.

He became the top local government chief executive when he served as Governor of Laguna. Under his administration, Laguna was catapulted to the honor of being the most outstanding province in the entire country.

When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over the presidency after EDSA II in 2001, he was appointed as Secretary of the DILG – the most powerful agency of the national government wherein he made several accomplishments foremost of which being the dismantling of illegal drug laboratories in Metro-Manila and other areas.

When Mr. Fuentes invited him as Guest of Honor and Speaker in the affair, the former secretary was still in his post. His being in control of the different law enforcement agencies and local officials under him gave Mr. Fuentes the idea that he coud be the most appropriate official in the national government from whom the Buluseños could hear on the agency’s program on how it will address the prevailing peace and order problem in the Province of Sorsogon which has become a big hindrance to the promotion of tourism particularly in the town of Bulusan where most of the tourist attractions could be found.

Unfortunately, a few days before the affair of DBI, Sec. Lina tendered his resignation from his post. But, being the true gentleman that he is, Sec. Lina fulfilled his commitment to DBI and went on to become this year’s Pista sa Maynila Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Vol. XVI No.3 (May - July 2004)