A flower touches the heart of a person to whom it was given.
In the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga, three pretty flowers made their presence felt and are touching the lives of the electorates through vital resolutions and ordinances. They are making a difference in public service.
Their presence provides glamour and dynamism to various activities introduced by the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda.
Together with their colleagues in the Sanggunian, these three lady legislators are in full support to the comprehensive delivery of medical, social services, livelihood, infrastructure, agriculture and even in times of calamity and great need. They don’t even care whether the towns they visited with Nanay Gov are within their area of political jurisdiction.
Who are these sweet-scented flowers in the August body? They are no other than 2nd District Board Member Olga Frances “Fritzie” David Dizon and 3rd district Board Members Trina Dizon and Monina “Mons” Laus.
These three energetic ladies of the Sanggunian ascended to the August hall of the Capitol to be of service to the people. They are destined to serve.
Born to lead
As a young girl, Trina has demonstrated her dynamism and leadership qualities. She was a consistent leader in her school from elementary to college. Her advocacy is “Providing the students with quality education” through various curricular activities that may enhance their learning process.
She was the chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Pangatlan, Mexico for five years.
She was always the number one councilor for three consecutive terms of her hometown. Her first attempt to represent the third district in the provincial board was a huge success as she defeated her opponents who were incumbent board members.
Her approved resolutions and ordinances focus on women empowerment and protection of children, thus, she was chosen to be the chairperson of Committee on Family and Women.
She is taking advantage of her being a single at the age of 37. She considers every Kapampangan man as her better half whom she needs to serve wholeheartedly, every child as her own whom she must attend to and every woman as her mother-in-law whom she guides with utmost sincerity.
According to BM Trina, her priorities are the Kapampangans. She is satisfied to be single as long as all the cabalens treat her as a family member in their household.
Continuing a Legacy
Even when former Board Member Pinong Laus was alive, Mons, her wife, was a very active leader-member of civic organizations in the province, such as Soroptimist International and Rotary Club of Central Pampanga. She believes that helping Kapampangan does not require a person to hold an office in any government institution. She did not know that her destiny will lead her to the office that she never coveted.
Apung Pinong, in his last days, asked Mons to continue his sworn duty to the Kapampangan. This was reinforced by people close to the Laus family to grant the last wish of her husband.
In her first months as board member in place of the late BM Pinong, Kapampangans have seen her passionate heart in serving the public. This time, it was not only family and friends who urged her to run again as BM but the whole third district of the province. Her charisma was proven when she ranked number one in the 2010 elections.
BM Mons is now the right hand of Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda when it comes to health programs being the chairperson on the Committee on Health. One of her major resolutions is the Family Health Access Cards, she authored together with 1st District BM Cris Garbo and 2nd District BM Salvador Dimson. She is also the chairman of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Commerce.
Silent-type Leadership
From a family of politicians, rose a very simple woman – Board Member Frits David-Dizon. Never in her wildest dream did she ever think that she will be representing the five towns of the second district in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Like BM Mons, the death of her mother, the late BM Edna David—an incumbent board member when she died, drew her political career and led her to the road towards government service.
Behind her soft voice and silent-type leadership, her constituents learned to love her like they did for her mother. The catchphrase “actions speak louder than words” suits her. The people of the second district have seen how a delicate-looking woman like her made a change not only through physical projects and services but also through resolutions she authored and supported, mostly for the approval of programs intended for her constituents.
Destiny brought these beautiful flowers to the Capitol to assist Nanay Gov. These women added colors of sincerity and confidence to the plans of the lady governor.
They have once again proven that flowers are not only decoration, they are essential in making the community an ideal place to live in.
(Jenna V. Lumbang, PIO – Pampanga)
