Mercado: The San Fernando River
THE City of San Fernando and Boracay are both historic places and tourist destinations.
Both are marred by problems in public waste disposal.
The President himself described the No. 1 tourism spot as a “cesspool” due to houses and resort establishments that drain toxic and human waste into the island’s sea area.
The San Fernando River has never been the pride of a glorious town and a progressive city as other rivers are taken care of in other climes.
Fernandinos pride in their scintillating giant lanterns but ignore the cesspool odor that pervades its poblacion area.
It is a sad observation that all previous municipal and city administrations had apparently ignored the SF River in their development program and seemingly gave little or minor importance to its preservation and ecological revival.
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This failure and visible shortcoming of the administration of City Mayor Edwin Santiago, as well as the past leaders, shall remain as their indelible legacy to the former capital town where significant and historical national events had taken place.
It is a pity that the builders of the City -- the generations of local captains of commerce and industry, did little to prod and compel the public officials, the mayor included, in taking serious and persistent vigorous stand to revive the river. Mayor Rodriguez tried to make a safe walking area of the river esplanade but was short of sustainable efforts.
Santiago has notched an enviable record in governance and progressive initiatives. Its “Kaganapan” report was lacking in initiatives for the River rehab.
Many of his admirers believe that the Mayor, among all local government officials and home-grown politicos, is a viable and credible material for Governor. Thus was said of former world class City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez but he has passed his chance to win the Capitol.
Keeping track of his activities and initiatives, Santiago has equal or surpasses publicity output of the great achiever of his generation- Ed Pamintuan.
I suspect City Mayor EdPam and EdSA share the same public relations outfit and experts in political brand management. My great wish for EdPam is to be the First State Governor of Central Luzon in a Federal system.
My wish for EdSa is to initiate the revival of the San Fernando River during his time, or at least rehabilitate a visible section thereof including the villages where the waterway runs: San Jose, Sto. Rosario, Del Pilar, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Nino, Palawan, etc. He needs to unite patriotic residents to a cause, like the Save San Fernando Movement and coordinate with national, provincial, and regional officials, the DPWH especially, and Rep. Dong Gonzales, too, for the gargantuan effort to keep the stench and detritus moving to its natural and final flow.
CONGRATULATIONS to city social welfare officer Iris Biliwang, wife of my esteemed friend called “Little Mayor” Bert Biliwang, former President of the Region3 Public Information Officers. Iris was a comely, well-dressed and likeable youth in local social work. Resilient, hardworking and well -- loved, she had great people skills in charting the tumultuous but happy days of the Biliwang administration.