Hands-on, humble, accommodating, with unparalleled work ethic, was how long-time former Baguio mayor and congressman Mauricio Domogan described the late former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Domogan and former mayor and congressman Bernardo Vergara are known allies and golfing buddies of Ramos.
As already mentioned in several tributes to the late president, Domogan said credit should be given to Ramos for making economic recovery as the core principle of his administration.
By addressing the energy crisis in the 1990s, Domogan said Ramos had propelled the Philippine economy when multi-national companies started to establish branches of their businesses in the country.
To further propel the economy, he devised a way of incentivizing investors who will develop former American military bases.
“Rather than see these areas idle, he found a way for these areas to be developed,” Domogan said, recalling that this included Camp John Hay.
The incentives came in the form of benefits given to locators in economic zones.
Domogan said Ramos knew it would take congressional action before the same incentives of ecozone locators can be given to developers of former American bases, but the former president took a gamble by signing an executive order that paved the way for these areas to be developed.
The legality of the EO has been questioned by concerned sectors in Baguio and despite the Supreme Court decision that upheld the argument of the petitioners, Domogan said development of former United States military and recreation bases is now giving benefits to the government and the public.
It was also during Ramos’ term that many countryside development projects were implemented.
Domogan said while some funds for the projects for the Cordillera were allotted in previous administrations, it was through Ramos that the implementation of these projects was fast-tracked.
During the rehabilitation of Baguio following the 1990 earthquake, Ramos saw to it that release of funds needed for the repair of various roads was prompt.
It was also during the term of Ramos that various roads in the region have been paved. Among these are Loakan Road, Baguio-Bauang Road, modernized Marcos Highway, Asin Road, Tacay bypass road, Naguilian Road, Bontoc-Cervantes Road, and circumferential road.
The former president also made it a point to arrange meetings with his Cabinet secretaries in the regions so they will be able to directly interact with local officials and actually see the situation in the provinces.
One such incident was in a Cabinet meeting in Apayao. Domogan said the former president divided his team into groups and were told to pass through the various routes leading to the province, which at the time was one of the poorest provinces in the country.
After the trip, the former president asked the teams to report the issues and concerns they encountered along the way and how these can be addressed. He said Ramos always fulfilled his commitments.
Ramos also detested red tape in the bureaucracy. It was during his term that the “Mamamayan muna, hindi mamaya na” campaign of the Civil Service Commission was implemented.
Domogan said Ramos was a leader who does not impose policies without consulting the people first. “Despite the fact that he is a military man, he was never arrogant. He listens and he consults.”
The former mayor is also a witness to the work ethic of the former president. He confirmed various anecdotes about Ramos starting his work day as early as 4 a.m.
Domogan said every time Ramos was in Baguio, the latter would call him for breakfast meeting at 5.30 a.m. at The Mansion. By the time he arrived, Ramos has already read the national broadsheets complete with marginal notes and instruction to his staff or Cabinet secretaries to respond to what was reported in the papers.
Domogan said Ramos would only relax when he is satisfied that he is able to accomplish the tasks he set for the day. But in between, the former president would arrange unscheduled meetings and project inspections, which often caused his security to scramble about his whereabouts.
Domogan said of the several presidents he encountered; Ramos was the visionary leader that the Philippines needed.
“If only we had another PFVR, si-guro mas maunlad at naka-recover na ang Pilipinas ngayon,” Domogan said. He said tribute and recognition should be given to the man who exemplified what a true leader should be – humble, consultative, hands-on, gentleman, and a visionary. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
