ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 19, 2013) – “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness,” espoused Zamboanga City District 2 Councilor Percival Ramos.
Ramos admitted that he is deeply a true believer of this famous Chinese proverb, when interviewed by the Mindanao Examiner.
The young politician, who kept his stirring 6th – place finish in the hotly-contested District 2 council race last May 13 polls, shrugged off criticisms hurled against him at the height of the political campaign by his detractors.
He said he would rather look at it in a positive way: “You expect your life to face plenty of criticisms when they feel you’re up there, and I really don’t mind them at all. I even consider them as a challenge in my life, instead.”
In 2012, Ramos made his mark – despite being a neophyte, – when he topped in legislative measures along with ‘retired’ third termer Councilor Benjamin Guingona III, also from District 2, and both, based on records, sponsored or authored the most number of ordinances/ and resolutions last year.
One of his biggest accomplishments making a tremendous impact in the community is the livelihood training and enhancement programs and that includes the string of highly successful backyard gardening projects in schools – the revived Jardin na Escuela – in the barangays or Jardin na Barangays and in the communities – Jardin na Communidad as well.
Ramos hatched the laudable project together with then District 2 Councilor Rey Candido primarily to improve and enhance the quality of life in the urban poor sector.
In the offing, as well, is the planned mass wedding that he initiated for the over a thousand out-of-wedlock couples – all coming from the city’s urban poor associations.
Had it not for the supposed delays, the occasion would have a dream come true for all the couples, according to Ramos.
“We hope, we can still proceed with their mass wedding within this year,” he said.
The second term city alderman also has drawn his other good projects and programs for the benefit of the city populace here namely – training on first-aid courses in resettlement areas in coordination with the Zamboanga City Red Cross chapter; ample training on disaster- prevention measures and the formation and training of fire brigade prospects with the active participation of the local community.
Ramos is likewise using his own Community Development Fund as a reward and incentive for all winners in the “Jardin” competitions categorized among the local schools, barangays and the local communities, as well. “It is better to do something good to help solve the problems than keep on complaining about them,” Ramos said. (Jun Feliciano)
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