Espinoza: Who can beat Tomas in Cebu City?

Thursday, December 8, 2011

THE government agency that regulates and implements the laws and rules involving contractors of government projects, particularly road works, is sleeping on its job.

Some contractors do not comply with the safety requirements.

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At night, road works in the city or any other place are virtual hazards. There are no appropriate signs to warn motorists of the danger ahead and lights to direct the motorists where to pass.

The untimely death of senior police officer Reinerio Pareja, whose motorbike hit the concrete barrier of the road works along A. Soriano Ave., Cebu City, could have been avoided had the place been appropriately lighted.

Citom chairman Jack Jakosalem was right. The contractor for the repair of A. Soriano Ave., JJ and J Construction, blatantly disregarded public safety and their neglect was inexcusable. The contractor should be held criminally liable for the death of Cortez.

The contractor is under obligation to put up appropriate traffic signs and should keep the project site lighted at night. These are basic conditions in the contract on road works. Blacklisting the contractor is only a slap on the wrist.

As to why the contractor did not comply with the safety rules is a question that the appropriate agency of government (either local or national) should answer not only for Cortez’s grieving heirs but also for the public.

In my travel to developed countries, I have noticed that public safety is paramount in infrastructure projects. Governments of these countries puts premium on protecting the limbs and lives of their constituents. Appropriate safety measures are put in place in construction sites.

Being a third world country is not a reason to compromise safety. Local government units or national agencies in charge of public safety should put their foot down and enforce the laws without fear or favor.

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Rep. Tomas Osmeña must be laughing down inside when Mayor Mike Rama asked barangay councilors to seek higher office during the 2nd General Assembly of the Barangay Councilors’ League of the Philippines (BCLP)-Cebu City Chapter last Saturday.

Mayor Rama made the offer during his speech in the presence of Congressman Tomas and Rep. Cutie del Mar, who was with her father Raul. I could imagine that instead of a roaring applause, the hall was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Call it wishful thinking, but Mayor Rama deserves praise for having the courage to ask barangay councilors to run for higher office by joining his party. He even promised to take care of everything. Does it mean including the campaign funds, Mike?

Unfortunately, not one barangay councilor jumped into Mayor Rama’s boat. Of course, who would do it in the presence of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) chieftain, Congressman Tomas? The barangay councilors could lose financial support or could be kicked out of BOPK.

While Mayor Rama is still at the recruitment stage for his party’s lineup for the May 2013 polls, Congressman Tomas may already have completed the BOPK slate. With Congressman Tomas’s BOPK intact and with stacks of campaign funds, who can beat him if
he runs for a post in Cebu City?

(elespinoza53@yahoo.com)