Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Valdehuesa: How can we improve the gross national happiness? By Manuel Valdehuesa Street Talk
ALTHOUGH Cagayan de Oro manages to plod along and impress some who come prospecting for "golden friendship and opportunities," it doesn't rank high on the scale of modernity or on urban management ratings. Iligan City ranks higher.
This is no surprise, of course. As in past administrations, virtual anarchy and chaos persist. Why? For one, there is no clear vision or direction in the city's development. There's no city development council as mandated by law. So we have no framework plan till now, and the constituents have no voice or input to planning or implementation.
Some say the mayor, just like his predecessor, finds it unwieldy to establish the development council in accordance with law. So why isn't anyone working to amend, refine or improve the law? Two congressmen represent our community.
Or is this situation merely being taken advantage of -- as an excuse for the mayor and city council to do whatever they please unencumbered by having to follow a rational plan, by citizen participation in it, or by accountability for it?
There's gold in our hills. Countless issues are swirling around its exploitation. Nothing is done to address them or to arrest the lethal effects of reckless and illegal mining. Why is this city of gold and other mineral assets without a mining regulatory board?
Cagayan River and Iponan River are daily assaulted by illegal activities -- upstream, downstream and along their banks. Both are dying and unfit for human use, not for bathing, nor even for navigation except rafting - whose patrons are blissfully unaware of the contamination they ingest. Why is there no earnest effort to rein in the officials, civilian and military, who selfishly exploit this chaotic situation? Why is there no attempt to curb their abuse and betrayal of the public trust?
The road system in upland barangays is neglected while political gimmicks choke the poblacion streets. Hundreds of millions in pork-barrel funds are being expended with no coherent pattern of priorities. The needs of upland food growers and suburban dwellers are neglected. Many are forced to squat in low-lying barangays, causing further chaos and embarrassment to a so-called first-class city.
The landscape is full of unsightly, illegal structures and there is no attempt to improve appearance or ambience. The post of city architect is unfilled. They say there's an approved land use plan; what in it is being implemented or enforced earnestly?
Traffic anarchy prevails. No one understands or obeys traffic signs. Pedestrians are ever at risk as through-streets and cross-streets are ignored by reckless, thoughtless drivers. No one gets citations. New road construction doesn't include walkways or sidewalks. Too bad for the elderly or the young pedestrian; vehicles are king of the road.
Eateries are filthy and unsanitary, sewers and canals clogged, sludge and septic tanks are left to fester. Is there a public health program? What is the city health officer doing?
The barangays are a mess, their officials ignorant, unfocused or incompetent, happy to be feeding on their internal revenue allotments. Who is supervising them?
Despite pronouncements on law and order, civil service regulations and administrative issuances, public and private behavior bespeaks anarchy, opportunism, chaos.
Behold the City Council: despite its members' posturing, it has no coherent legislative agenda or program. It is leaderless. It has no regular presiding officer. The vice mayor enjoys the perks of office but shirks its responsibilities. This non-performing official sought the position; no one forced him to seek it. Now he refuses to do the work he sought and was elected for. If he is unfit, incompetent or unwilling, why is he not being recalled or asked to resign? Why does he not resign! No delicadeza.
It is all very confusing, frustrating, stressful, exasperating. It is no way to improve the gross national happiness!
A former UN executive and director at the development academy of the Philippines, Manny writes Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. Email: valdeman_esq@yahoo.com
