Oscar Samson Rodriguez interviewed
by an international audience

City Mayors invited those who participated in World Mayor 2005 to put questions to San Fernando (Philippines) Mayor Oscar Samson Rodriguez. The Mayor finished fourth out of 65 finalists in World Mayor 2005. From the many questions received, a representative selection was forwarded to the Mayor. Below, he replies in detail, as well as with candour and thoughtfulness.

Questions & Answers
From Douglas C., San Fernando (Pampanga)
Question: Now that you are recognised as one of the top mayors of the world, what are you planning to do economically, socially and politically, to make San Fernando, Pampanga, one of the top cities of the world?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: As a principal proponent of the “Global Gateway” where the two giant facilities in Central Luzon, the Clark Airport and Subic Seaport in Pampanga and Olongapo City, respectively, will be utilised, the City of San Fernando is envisaged to be the centre of development and “gateway to the North”. The completion of the Northrail System, the Subic-Clark road, the Subic Seaport and the rehabilitation of McArthur Highway and the North Diversion Road, as support infrastructures, means that airlines will definitely operate at Clark International Airport, and shipping companies from all over the world will be attracted to Subic Seaport. This will mean the coming of thousands of investors, hence, millions of employment opportunities to the people of Pampanga. This opportunity will greatly affect the lives of our people economically, socially and politically.

In order to attract a sizeable number of these investors, the City under my administration, is providing the necessary attractions and infrastructures. As further preparation and part of my advocacies, I have radical approaches in education and health care. Here, we have encouraged thousands of indigent families to take part in education through our scholarship programs, and have extended health care, particularly for the poorest of the poor. In addition, we are seriously showing to our people that good governance, transparency and involvement of private sector leaders, including protection of the environment, among other things, as well as our concern for the preservation of our culture and heritage, will, hopefully, change for the better the attitude and values of some of our people. In other words, we are trying to make a difference.


From Divina B., Cavite
Question: I know that as a mayor, you have many plans for your constituents in San Fernando, Pampanga. Which are the most important ones?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: I have my eight-point agenda on education, health, transportation and communication, trade & industry, environmental management, public safety and order, culture preservation and good governance - all geared towards the improvement of the quality of life of our people. All of them are now in full gear.


From Fortunato D D., Las Pinas City
Question: How does your experience in all three branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial – help you to work towards the grand vision you have for San Fernando?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: It helps me tremendously! As a working student for almost twelve years in the judiciary, rising from the ranks of stenographer to Clerk of the Court, I have witnessed the workings of the dispensing of justice, and in my own little way, am now extending assistance for the speedy administration of justice in the city. As a member of Congress for fourteen years, my established influence and relationship with national leaders is a great help. The members of the Council of the City, in the passage of hundreds of resolutions and ordinances, have always been unanimous in their voting. Knowing my unblemished and clean record in Congress, they have never questioned my motives, my decisions and my programs. Being a former provincial administrator has given me a feel of the operation of governments, making it easy for me to adopt and execute my mandate as city mayor. That is why, only after a year of governance, despite the financial problems of the City when I became mayor, we were able to pursue developmental and meaningful projects.


From Dr L., San Gabriel
Question: Could you envisage San Fernando becoming the “San Francisco” of the northern Philippines?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: If you mean a developed place like San Francisco, yes. The city is the centre of Central Luzon, the gateway, as I mentioned earlier, to the North, and with our preparation here, and what we have already attracted, we envisage the city being not only the centre of development but also the envy of our neighbours.


From Yolanda D R., San Fernando
Question: Can you elaborate on how ordinary citizens of San Fernando can help you realise your dream of a city where everyone enjoys a decent quality of life?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: They have to be concerned members of the community, carrying with them personal ethics like a sense of fairness, justice, belonging and selflessness. Public officials cannot do it alone. That is why I am encouraging participation of the private sector leaders in my governance. In all my important activities in the city, leaders from the private sector have chaired all the communities. Consultations and the holding of summits have always been necessary preliminaries in our planning and decision-making. Criticism, right or wrong, has always been encouraged.


From Josefina, Los Angeles, USA
Question: How do you plan to eliminate corruption in local government?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: I have started it in my political life. I have always started in my campaign from a zero budget, since I believe money should not be instrumental in bringing me to victory, but my record, commitment and desire to serve. So I have no political debts, so-called. Nobody can influence me to be corrupt. From day one of my governance as city mayor last year, I met the members of the City Council and put across the fact that there is no substitute, in attracting investors, for good governance. No “grease money”, no “quid pro quo” in the conversion of lands, passage of ordinances, and so on. And I put the necessary mechanisms in our system to discourage graft and corruption, like limiting the time in the flow of documents, internal monitoring, computerisation, daily remittance of collection, disciplining and removing those found wanting and committing indiscretions, and living by example. Every Monday during flag raising ceremonies, and on some occasions or activities, we try to hammer into the consciousness of our fellow civil servants proper values.


From Martin D B., Guymon, USA
Question: How do you plan to deal with the influx of migrants moving into San Fernando from poorer surrounding towns and communities?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: We have modernised our slaughterhouse and solved our traffic problems. We are putting up a central transport terminal; rehabilitating our river channels and our markets; improving our road network and adding alternative routes; looking for low-cost housing projects and resettlement; providing another public cemetery; seriously implementing the solid waste management system; improving our capability to address the peace and order concerns in a fast developing city; modernising our fire department and encouraging the clustering of neighbouring municipalities and cities (Angeles and San Fernando) for coordination in as many aspects of governance as possible.


From Rommel G R., Makati City
Question: Good governance at any level requires the strong support of constituents. To get this support, what values, policies and virtues do you espouse in your own city and what programs do you have (or are planning to have) to apply them?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: Be an example to them. You cannot get their support if you do things differently from what you say. I always apply the so-called “balancing act” theory in all my decisions as a person, as a mayor. I always go for the interest of the many even if it means the alienation of a relative, leader, friend or follower. I always remind listeners in many fora where I am given the opportunity to “pontificate”, the experience of Athens 2,500 years ago when it defeated in that epic battle the reigning world power, the Persian Empire. Historians and researchers discovered that Athens was able not only to defeat Persia but also subsequently to conquer neighbouring states because deep in the core values of the people of Athens there was a collective consciousness that considered the personal to be communal and the communal, personal. That is, in all they did, they considered the interests of others. Transparency helps! Dedication to work helps (I stay late at night in the office if need be). Political will, I exercise, despite my bias towards the poor, where I came from. My projects are developmental and not cosmetic.


From Aleta S., San Fernando
Question:
You have been active in the cause for women. What is your plan for the Family Planning devices that have been phased out by foreign sponsors?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: I strengthened the structures for GAD (Gender and Development) and seriously advocate family planning programs through a responsible parenthood approach, among others.


From Mike, San Fernando
Question: There are many child beggars in the streets of our city. How do you propose to help them?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: They are now seldom seen in the streets in our areas, not only because we encourage possible donors not to give as a national policy, but also by going deeper into their predicament. We continually determine those coming from the poor and offer schooling to at least a member of the family. We have round-the-clock health monitoring and services for them. We assist, as much as is practicable, the head of the family in finding work, or offer financial loan assistance for self-employment in a livelihood program. But we have to admit we cannot address all their concerns.


From Jimson D., San Fernando
Question: I believe that all your projects have been very successful like, for example, the separation of garbage (biodegradable and non-biodegradable). Could you tell me about your other plans or projects?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: The modern slaughterhouse, which is being built on a BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) scheme, will not only save the city from a monthly loss of P 430,000.00, more or less, but will also offer clean and fresh meat to our meat processors and consumers, and attract buyers from other municipalities. A central transport terminal is also undergoing construction, at no expense to the city, but with a 30 per cent share in the net profit when it operates. We will rehabilitate the old and the new market to make them competitive, among other reasons, with the mega-malls nearby. We have bought a 1.7 hectare property where there is an existing structure, to house – among other things - our convention centre, amphitheatre, annex of the city hall, a warehouse for our materials and a building for our fire department.


From Jess M., Paranaque City
Question: Do you intend to dredge the Pampanga River to lessen, if not eliminate, the yearly floods that affect the city and other nearby communities?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: We have just done that with two dredgers and three backhoes on barge. In addition, we intend to remove the encroachers, which to a sizeable extent, not only narrowed the river channel but polluted it. We are now putting in a concrete embankment with a pathway and fence to make its water habitable and as an alternative transport facility. For sustainability, we are forming a Sagip Ilog Foundation composed mostly of private sector leaders.


From Aileen P., Porac (Pampanga)
Question: Will you use the good publicity you gained from being short-listed for World Mayor to promote San Fernando and the Philippines as a tourist destination?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: Of course! We see the tourism industry as a steady partner in our developmental effort, given the loss of our grip on such things as the export of garments, shoes, and furniture, because of China’s emergence.


From Emerito, Angeles City (Pampanga)
Question: As an appointed member of the Consultative Commission (Con-Com) formed by President Gloria macapagal-Arroyo, why do you think that there is a need for a Charter change? What are your main priorities in the constitution that need to be amended so that the Philippines can become a better place in which to live?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: The present economic downtrend, the slow response of Congress and the Executive in addressing the serious problems of the country, the seemingly unending bickering between the legislative (particularly of the Senate now) and the executive, the growing concern on the graft and corruption issue, the continuing decline in practically all aspects of living, such as education and quality of life – for all these reasons, plus the fact that in Asia, the only two countries with a presidential system, Indonesia and the Philippines, lag behind their neighbours operating under a parliamentary system. All of these things, plus others, necessitate a charter change. We have to change the form from the present Presidential to Parliamentary. To attract serious foreign investors and propel economic development, there must be a gradual shift from a unitary to a federal structure to maximise devolution of functions and services to local government units, together with a penetrating thrust on economic and national patrimony provisions of the constitution towards liberalisation.


From Karla B G., Quezon City
Question: In the Philippines a change of the form of government from a presidential to a parliamentary, and perhaps a federal system, is being discussed. Would the City of San Fernando and other cities benefit from a federal system?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: The city will benefit from the shift to a federal-parliamentary structure because autonomy will be maximised and delivery of services speedier, together with other benefits.


From Mark, Manila
Question: How can you help overseas Filipinos who want to settle in San Fernando? Is there any program for us in your city council?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: During my stint as Congressman, borrowing the experience of countries like Ireland, I sponsored the “dual citizenship law” - precisely to attract Filipinos abroad who have made good, to return and settle in the Philippines and invest their savings here. We are making the city attractive to them through our urban renewal effort, traffic free road network; clean environment, sufficient and conducive areas for investment and business, including my serious advocacy in the preservation of our culture and heritage as a Kapampangan.


From Ferdinand L., Vancouver, Canada
Question: Education is a hotly debated issue in the Philippines. What can you, as a mayor, contribute towards free education in your city?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: It is one of our radical programs. We offer free schooling up to college to at least one member of those families coming from the poorest of the poor. We create as many as possible integrated elementary and high schools in strategic areas so that even those from the remotest areas and the least fortunate of our children can avail themselves of free elementary and secondary education. To improve the quality of education, we are effecting the construction of school buildings and facilities, including covered courts, and encouraging our education department in the city to adopt training programs to further improve teaching skills.

At present, we have a few thousand scholars in the field of academics, arts and culture, and conduct special skills training programs in three areas of the city for those who fail to pursue education.


From Elizabeth C., Orangeburg, USA
Question: What can the city contribute to reduce pollution and protect the planet’s ozone layer?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: We are seriously implementing the law on the Solid Waste Management System (RA 9003) and prohibiting the burning of materials from garbage. We prevent the use of smoke belchers in the city, and with our Sagip Ilog Project, we envisage pollution-free river channels. Soon, we shall also seriously implement the Clean Air Act.


From Jean C., Manila
Question: What do you regard as your most outstanding style in governance that made San Fernando City as progressive and its people as cohesive as it is now? And would you like other mayors in the world to follow your example?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: I am transparent; available at any time to constituents; with a simple lifestyle; seriously trying to remain clean, honest and committed; I always decide with finances in the interests of the majority, but sensitive to the deprivations and longings of our poor. I believe that I have never exchanged my principles for convenience. This is the reason why, despite my desire to finish education at all costs while a student during the martial rule of ex-President Marcos, I joined the underground in order to help restore our lost freedoms and for part of the time I reviewed for my Bar examinations in prison. I joined human rights lawyers during martial rule, after I took the oath as a member of the Philippine Bar, despite my family’s concern and deprivation. I joined the EDSA I revolution, but did not ask for anything in return. As Chair of the Committee on Justice, which initially heard the impeachment complaint against ex-President Estrada for the commission of serious indiscretions, I proceeded to help impeach him despite hints of material rewards if I would do otherwise. I accepted the task of being one of the prosecutors against him, and finally joined the EDSA Revolution II. It should always be country first before self.


From Aileen M., San Fernando
Question: We have witnessed your hard work to make the City of San Fernando a better community to live in. Will you run for a second term as mayor in 2007?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: If need be. I am serious in completing what I have started in the city.


From David S., San Fernando
Question: After having modernised the city you govern, how would you like to be remembered after you leave office?

Mayor Rodriguez replies: As one who never turned his back on the call of duty, for country and people; as one who tried to make a difference; and as one who, despite numerous disruptions in life and built-in human frailties, remained focused on what he believed to be fair, just, correct and necessary.