Saturday, March 29, 2008 Transport official dares guv to debate By Jane Cadalig
APPARENTLY slighted by the harsh words uttered against him for his stern stand on the ban on vans along Kennon Road, Transportation Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. challenged Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan to a public debate where both could air their sides on the issue.
"I challenge him (Fongwan) to a public debate. If we could go live on radio, television (and before a live audience), we will do it, so we can both air our sides and let the public judge us," Mandapat said.
He issued the statement at the height of the controversial rerouting he has imposed against vans-for-hire from plying Kennon Road.
The transportation official defended himself from the nasty words he has been receiving as a consequence of his decision.
Fongwan earlier criticized Mandapat for his unrelenting stand on the ban on public utility vans from traversing Kennon.
"(It is unfortunate) that a presidential appointee is acting as if he is the highest person who does not listen to suggestions. It is even easier to talk to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo than her appointee," Fongwan said of Mandapat, adding that the director's attitude "is destroying the image of the President."
The governor sympathized with van operators and drivers who are asking Mandapat to reconsider his order, saying Palispis-Aspiras (formerly Marcos) Highway where they were rerouted requires longer travel time and additional expenses on their part.
Despite calls for reconsideration, Mandapat has not changed his mind.
He also said the allegations hurled against him are hitting below the belt. "Not because I am sticking to my belief means I am arrogant. I am not destroying the image of the President, I am just enforcing her directive," Mandapat said, as he explained that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has been given the mandate to ensure road safety pursuant to an administrative order (AO) issued by the President in July.
The AO dissolved the inter-agency road safety committee and transferred all its functions to the DOTC.
Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Affairs Thomas Killip and Public Transport Affairs Office Secretary Ariel Lim recommended to the President for Mandapat be put on a "floating status" or be transferred to another area while the controversy on Kennon is yet to be resolved.
