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Fermo Clemente |
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PASACAO, CAM. SUR – There is a mad scramble for the emerging five-cornered mayoralty contest in this resort coastal town along the Ragay Gulf but 49-year old Firmo “Fer” Clemente y Oliver is the only candidate for mayor so far with specific plans for the municipality in case he is elected.
Moreover, he appears to have the best credentials having pursued three post graduate courses after finishing his Bachelor of Arts at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary.
He took up a management course at Benedict Schule in Zurich, Switzerland in addition to a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Nueva Caceres and credits in Theologate at the Holy Rosary major Seminary both here in Naga City.
Counting the fact that a group of businessman led by his uncle, Arnold Clemente, has committed to help fund his campaign, Fer stands out as the most formidable candidate even when at press time he is not yet formally allied with any existing political party.
Since last year he sought to run under Kampi but with the alliance agreement between Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya and presidential son Dato Arroyo which has adopted the equity of the incumbent rule, it has become difficult for him to be taken into the fold of the First District coalition.
With all the support behind him in all Pasacao barangays, Fer hopes to overcome the odds and come out a runaway winner in the coming polls. Fer will be pursuing a platform of government with the acronym HELP – H for Health and Sanitation; E for Education for All; L for Livelihood and P for Peace and Order.
His health programs include:
1. Establishment of a district hospital so that patients from First District coastal barangays need not proceed to the overcrowded Bicol Medical Center in Naga City;
2. A continuing clean and green program;
3. Nutrition program covering all barangays;
4. Women’s welfare program involving safe motherhood, advocacy on the importance of breastfeeding, early childhood enrichment and health care;
5. Fabrication of toilet bowls on the target that at the end of just one term all Pasacao homes should have sanitary toilets;
6. Continuing not sporadic barangay health services; and
7. Sports development.
On the thrust to provide education for all, Fer Clemente envisions the institutionalization of non-formal education involving short courses as basket weaving, cosmetology, hairdressing and tailoring and support for out of school youths for technical courses such as hotel and restaurant management, welding, automotive, refrigeration and diesel mechanic.
Also incorporated in his education plan is a computer literacy program for the youth for them to keep abreast with technological modernization and the job demands around the world.
Scholarship grants will also be awarded to poor but deserving students whose parents cannot really afford to send them to college.
On his livelihood program, the mayoralty aspirant proposes to set up a micro-finance program to give out loans for capital which must be paid back.
He said he will pilot-test the establishment of Paluwagan or Bayanihan Centers where residents will gradually put in small savings which when accumulated will be loaned back to those in need at a very minimal rate of interest.
Clemente said he will ensure that business climate and environment shall be conducive for investment by local and foreign entrepreneurs.
He also vows to reinforce the Bantay Karagatan Program so that small fishermen will be protected in their sources of livelihood.
On Peace and Order, Fer says that Police authorities must be truly visible and ready to help citizens in need, always in proper uniform and ready to assist the people and not acting as bodyguards all the time to politicians. PNP sub-stations will be set up in progressive barangays and the number of PNP personnel shall be augmented to at least be close to ideal ratio of one policeman for every 1,000 residents.
He pledges to uphold the laws of the land at all times and never bend to protect violators however close they may be to him.
Fer is the son of Bartolome Bañola Clemente and Monserrat Oliver Clemente. He is married to Maresca Altea Clemente.
Since 2002 he has been president of the Naga-Pasacao Aircon Van Cooperative and president of the Camarines Sur Filcab Federation.
From 1998 to 2002 he was president of the Transport Association of Pasacao and vice-president of the Camarines Sur Jeepney Federation.
