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Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Execs, militants say piece on Arroyo visit
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
OPPOSITION and militant groups here were one in agreeing that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit has actually marred or was even described as "anti-climatic" to the Cagayan de Oro 2006 Fiesta Celebration.
But Mayor Vicente Emano and City Councilor Jose Benjamin Benaldo are strongly convinced that Arroyo's visit is a "great boost to the City Government's intention to showcase the city to the global community."
Security was tight during Arroyo's short visit considering the intelligence reports that the terrorist group Rajah Solaiman is now planning to sow terror in the country's capital.
Traffic czar Ramon Tabor with the Roads and Traffic Administration closed down Ysalina Bridge around 10 a.m. to pave the way for Arroyo's entourage.
Also, under the Carmen Bridge, huge rocks and a considerable volume of soil were poured over almost half of the bridge's length underneath to make way for some heavy equipment.
These rocks and soil barred and re-channeled the Cagayan de Oro River water flow to only that side of the Floating Restaurant where Arroyo took her lunch and made her 10-minute watch of the 2006 Lambagohan Fluvial Parade.
Officials even those from City Hall agreed Monday that the diversion of the river flow to only one side could pose a threat to those living along this riverbank side citing Isla de Oro and Isla Delta particularly, should there be heavy rains or a cloudburst this rainy season.
Publicity stunt
Meanwhile, Socialist Union of Local Opposition Groups (Sulog) co-conveners Frederico Gapuz, Butch Bagabuyom and Jerry Orcullo, Karapatan lawyer Beverly Musni, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) local leader Ryan Guerrero, and Alyansang Makabayan regional spokesperson Kristine Lim were not exactly delighted with Arroyo's visit.
Bagabuyo likened Arroyo's visit to how "in every fiesta criminals meet in public and display the fruits of their crimes."
"It took 30 years before St. Monica succeeded in converting her son, St. Augustine, to embrace the faith but I am confident Cagayanons need much less time to send both dictators Emano and Arroyo out of their stolen thrones and into the quagmire for thieves and dictators," he said.
Orcullo for his part said, "Even a mere fiesta celebration is now being grabbed by Arroyo just to make her popular."
Musni meanwhile described Arroyo's visit to this year's fiesta celebration as nothing but a "publicity stunt."
She said Arroyo's visit does "not give back the lives" of those peasant militant farmers, journalists, lawyers and priests among others who have been critical of the Arroyo Administration.
She cited the recent murder of Misamis Oriental Farmers' Association (MOFA) leader Nestor Ladica in Looc, Salay, Misamis Oriental.
Guerrero said, "Arroyo's presence in Cagayan de Oro Fiesta has created chaotic scenario in the streets. People were raising eyebrows due to the extreme traffic condition."
Arroyo celebrated the fiesta of Cagayan de Oro with the Cagayanons by inaugurating the P125 Million SM City-Bulua Road and to accept the turnover of 12 units of police pick-ups from the City Government of Cagayan de Oro.
In radio interviews, Emano said, "It will be our great pride and honor for the Cagayanons to have no less than the President of the country as our guest during the city fiesta celebration."
Benaldo said the 30-50 mediamen accompanying the President during her visit will be have a chance to experience the Fiesta activities of the city and the "Tsada Cagayan" promotion for the city.
"Hopefully, it will be our chance to attract the attention of the global community to our city," he said.
(August 29, 2006 issue)
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