Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Claravall: Do away with politics of convenience By Rimaliza Opiña
THIS year's awardees of Baguio's outstanding citizens had a mouthful of advice to say to city officials.
In a speech read in behalf of the five other awardees, Judge Edilberto Claravall said that as the city is about to reach its centennial next year, doable and concrete plans have to be made to achieve visions for Baguio.
As a gift for Baguio, Claravall said now is the time for officials of Baguio to get their acts together and prepare a master development plan, which should involve all stakeholders of Baguio.
This, as Claravall said many of the plans for Baguio remain on paper. He blamed politics for this.
"What we have is a politics of convenience...of accommodation," Claravall said, lamenting that today's brand of officials was elected based on popularity alone.
They however, do not possess a good platform for governance.
"What we have is a reactionary form of governance," Claravall said and recalled that after the 1990 earthquake, experts predicted Baguio's population will increase as a result of rapid urbanization.
"They have anticipated this," he added, but no development plan was made or if ever there was, this was not pursued. He gave as example the absence of an inventory of how much land Baguio owns.
Despite this, all is not lost for Baguio. "There is a solution to every problem and plans are attainable."
In crafting a master development plan, Claravall said this should be one, which must be adhered to by incoming administrations, regardless of party affiliations.
The attitude of the people of Baguio should likewise change. "We also have to change ourselves. The sense of community, of goodness should come out. Bring out the character Baguio was known for."
Religious groups should come together and integrate in their teachings how to improve Baguio, and schools should also unite and help students in coming up with plans also for the improvement of the city.
"I hope the time comes when there would no longer be a search for outstanding citizens because everyone is an outstanding citizen," Claravall ended.
