No monopoly of power, people elect us – Macanlalay

FATHER AND SON.  Calasiao Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay
(R) and his father Vice Mayor Roy Macanlalay answer queries
from the media

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

 CALASIAO – The mayor of this thriving first class town debunked claims by his critics that he and his vice mayor father have absolute control of power in the town.
Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay told GMA-7 TV’s Diretsahan that there was no monopoly of leadership because people elect them to the town’s top positions. “We present ourselves and our programs for the people of Calasiao to decide among them if we are fitted for the job,” the younger Macanlalay explained in the vernacular.
 He said his being in power is because he wanted to continue the progress implemented by his father Roy who was his predecessor.
The elder Macanlalay served this town for nine years while the incumbent mayor was still a member of the municipal council until he was elected to the mayoralty in the 2010 poll. “I do not want the people of my town to be dismayed if I will not seek re-election in the coming election amid the ceaseless economic progress that I and my father have brought to Calasiao,” he told this paper.
Under the stewardships of the Macanlalays this puto (rice cake) producing town saw the entries of giant retail store Robinson Malls , fast-food chains Jollibee and Chowking, car companies Toyota and Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi and other vehicle companies The Regency Hotel in Calasiao has become the biggest competitor of the Star Plaza Hotel in neighboring Dagupan City. Dagupeńa, a famous restaurant from Dagupan City, has moved here where it competes with the cozy Don Armando’s Restaurant.
 The mayor assured the public that there is no conflict between him and his father in their professional work and their being a kin. “May usapan na kami sa pamilya na siya ang masusunod. Pero sa ating bayan hindi naman puwede desisyon bilang na kagaya ng sinabi ko na sa aking ama lahat ng decision para sa bayan ay ako ang dapat sundin.”
Meanwhile, the mayor said he and this town’s village officials and businessmen seek an audience with Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works & Highway for him to expedite the snail paced construction of the Villamil Bridge. He explained that the present slow activities of the construction inconveniences the motorists and commuters and hampers the flow of business activities here.