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NEW YORK --- I have received e-mails from people who wonder why I have not been writing about the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI) lately. They speculate that PIDCI officials must have gone out of town and left me without a story to write.
An e-mail writer’s use of euphemism is a jab at my frequent commentary of PIDCI. But literally, PIDCI officials are all in town – even president Nimia Lacebal who usually goes home and takes her winter hiatus in La Union gets back to New Jersey around this time. And the truth is there are always stories to write; I only need to choose and prioritize them according to its relevance in our community.
So to quench not only someone’s but others’ thirst for more news about PIDCI, I’ll resume my coverage of the most talked about organization in town. At least, I’ve given PIDCI enough rest following the request of M. Santos, one of the e-mail writers.
You see, reactions to what I write about PIDCI validate my contention that people care about PIDCI. Not only for what it does but also what its leaders do as representatives of organizations in the community. PIDCI has a potential to serve as a means to harness the ideas and labor of everyone towards a common objective, which is not just commemorating independence day.
As such, when people are informed of PIDCI activities, the more they are encouraged to get involved and support its policies and practices or correct and improve the same. The more its fund-raising efforts and practices are discussed the better the process becomes transparent. The more PIDCI officers are criticized for their actions, the better they become aware of their accountability.
For instance, board members have yet to receive minutes of their meetings from PIDCI secretary Tambi Wycoco. The first and only one record of their meeting was issued after elections last year. In fact, some members have been teasing him that if they want to know what was discussed they just have to read this column.
It’s a subtle stab at the secretary’s job but Wycoco doesn’t seem to get the message and remains numb to the demands of his job and the need of the organization and his fellow directors. He cannot compare his term with the past because this is his year not Angie Cruz’s or Nelsie Parrado’s, his predecessors.
Was it not Wycoco who said he wasn’t just a secretary but a corporate secretary (note emphasis on the word “corporate”) since PIDCI is not a regular community organization but a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation? And for which, he had to take his job responsibly?
What happened here? As someone who was elected unanimously by his fellow directors, his election should serve as their trust in him and recognition of his abilities. Must he now turn his back and turn them down?
With the vast experience Wycoco has not only in organizing PIDCI since its early years but also in other community and professional endeavors, it is not too late for him to produce these long awaited board minutes. It is time he walks what he talks.
On another note, Friends Indeed, a group of people that is supporting Dr. Linda Pelayo, 2005 grand marshal, has finally handed over the proceeds of its fundraising of Feb. 11 in a meeting at Lourdess, a dance hall cum-restaurant in Elmhurst, Queens.
The group itself has raised $10,000 from its members, which makes it one of the major sponsors. Checks were likewise received from 1st and 2nd Mortgage Co. of NJ, DCH Auto and Accurate Mortgage Co. The remaining receivable is a $10,000 pledge from Dr. Medy Lagman.
The almost $25,000 which president Lacebal received that night was a hefty amount. But wasn’t treasurer Dr. Baby Bleza present at that meeting, too? If so why was she not given the checks to deposit in the bank? Isn’t Bleza the treasurer who should have the custody of all the monies of PIDCI?
I still don’t understand why Lacebal has her eyes focused on board member Sofie Abad who isn’t a corporate officer? Why Lacebal brings along Abad and gets her involved in tasks a treasurer would normally do is certainly inappropriate. Is Lacebal making it obvious to Bleza that she doesn’t like her?
It seems a cold-war between the president and the treasurer is continuing, which is unfortunate. This could get worse and Lacebal may just be opening up herself to further questions including her ordering of another set of checks from PIDCI’s bank. She may have to explain her motive why she did this when the treasurer has the corporate checks with her.
Seriously, a treasurer’s report is as important as board meeting minutes. And as the secretary, the treasurer and the entire board agree, PIDCI is a not a regular community organization but one that is to comply with state and federal regulatory agencies.
So what’s up, PIDCI?
Send comments to rickyxpres@aol.com
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