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Thursday, April 22, 2004
Espinoza: Mandaue’s defective traffic lights
By Elias L. Espinoza
DEBATE. Mandaue City mayoralty challenger Baludong Cortes dared Mayor Thadeo Ouano to a public debate on issues that involved the City Government. The opposition perceives Teddy’s silence as a sign of weakness.
On the contrary, the opposition mayoralty bet should not overestimate his capability to expound on the issues he wants debated in public. Neither silence on the camp of Mayor Ouano should be considered cowardice. Remember the saying: “Silent water runs deep”.
I was told that NQ, whatever these two letters represents, was allegedly willing to shoulder the expenses of the debate that will be aired live on radio and television.
Mayor Ouano and his slate already outlined their platform of government. All of them, from mayor down to councilors are reelectionists. The opposition kept pounding on the alleged mismanagement of City Hall.
Ouano’s camp probably feels that it will be a waste of time and resources to debate on something that his administration has already performed. With all due respect to former mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano, it is a matter of record that Teddy’s administration has surpassed his father’s achievements.
The opposition probably feels that a public debate with the city mayor will give them a better edge in terms of media mileage over the administration bets as the election day draws nearer.
Personally, I don’t find any benefit that voters will get from the public debate. On the contrary, a public debate will only add up the heat between the candidates as well as the animosity among supporters.
Explaining to the voters each party’s platform of government for the next three years is best served during the campaign or talks with the voters than holding a public debate that non-voters, like children, will only be interested to watch and listen.
Of course, I am not saying that Teddy and his party are precluding the possibility of accepting the challenge. This is a question of priority and convenience.
CENTRALIZED. The defective traffic lights at the vital intersections in Mandaue City are products of a centralized system of government. The defective, if not damaged traffic lights are not the properties of Mandaue City.
Naturally, the Mandaue City Government, even if it has the funds to repair these decommissioned traffic lights, is shackled by the prohibitions or limitations set by the Commission on Audit (COA).
The Mandaue City Government, through Teddy Ouano, had long been clamoring for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to turn over these facilities or utilities to the City so these can be maintained accordingly.
The city mayor had sent several official communications to the DPWH through the secretary for the immediate turnover of this utility, particularly the traffic lights.
Unfortunately, thouh, it is the local government, in this case Mandaue City, that is blamed for the delay due to the lackadaisical attitude of the DPWH authorities on these simple problems.
No matter how the City Government will explain to the public, it is still the City that bears the brunt of public criticism. Indeed, why should the DPWH officials act when the City officials are the ones absorbing the mess.
(April 22, 2004 issue)
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