Bobom practices austerity in recent trips abroad

By Mortz C. Ortigoza URDANETA CITY – If many Europeans today practice austerity measures imposed to them by lending institutions, the mayor of this city has his version of austerity during his recent trips abroad. Mayor Gregorio “Bobom” Perez IV said when he attended the 10 –day League of Cities of the Philippines conference and official visit to Hawaii for the historic signing of the memorandum of understanding and cooperation between the LCP and the State of Hawaii, he did not stay in a hotel but stayed in the house of a city mate there. He added that he stayed too in the house of a friend from this city in the US mainland when he made a three-day side trip there. “Mabuti iyon dahil matipid unlike sa hotel na mahal,” he quipped. He said he asked compatriots in Hawaii and in the U.S mainland to join again the renowned Mrs. Urdaneta in the next city fiesta. He said he did not solicit monies for this city as practiced by other mayors in Pangasinan whenever they go abroad. Perez also cited not only how bad the economic crunch affects the people in the US but how preoccupied they were there to make both ends meet. “My host told me there that he fetches me exactly at 9 pm on the place we agreed to meet. Because he said that at 10 pm he should retire at his bed because he has to wake-up early for the day’s work in the following morning”. He was amazed how the system there is run in the immigration areas. “Walang mayor-mayor doon gaya dito sa Pilipinas (no mayor there who strutted his weights around like in the Philippines). He cited how an immigration officer sternly asked him if he carries more than $10,000 – which the law there prohibits. He said he answered politely that he carries a limited amount of US currency. Meanwhile, the mayor said that his hands are full these days for the preparation of this city as host of Region 1 Athletic Association participated by the four provinces in the Region. “Preparation ng mge billeting areas nila. More than 5,000 silang darating sa Urdaneta City. Matutulog sila sa mga public schools,” he said. He said this city spend more or less P5 million for the event.