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Thursday, July 01, 2004
Espinoza: Arroyo inauguration did wonders for Cebu
By Elias L.Espinoza
HISTORIC. The oath taking of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday was historic for Cebu in particular and the Visayas in general. She is the first president to hold the oath-taking ceremonies outside imperial Manila or Luzon.
Even the preparation for the venue of the oath-taking ceremony, which is in front of Capitol, was also notable since the government workers did it in a few days’ notice despite the supposed limited resources of the government.
This is not to mention, though, the several curses from the motorists and pedestrians, who were caught in the traffic when Escario St. fronting Capitol was closed due to the ongoing work on the huge stage.
The potholes and rough surfaces in the roads and streets where President Arroyo and her entourage will pass were hurriedly repaired in record time.
It’s simply amazing. Some of these roads almost looked like neglected, but with President Arroyo’s scheduled oath-taking here they were suddenly brushed up.
Just like the past elections, the oath taking of President Arroyo here was like a miracle that it did some wonders to Cebu, particularly the tri-cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Cebu.
What most motorists did not probably know is that the control of the traffic lights fronting Capitol was damaged when the workers indiscriminately removed the electronic wirings that caused the traffic lights to malfunction.
If not for the oath-taking ceremonies for President Arroyo, I suppose this incident would have caused the temperament of Mayor Tomas Osmeña to rise. I was told that the damaged traffic control is very expensive.
AUSTERE. After her proclamation as the winning presidential candidate, President Arroyo announced that her inauguration and oath-taking ceremonies would be simple and austere, which is just fitting because of the economic crisis we are in.
However, from the preparations made by the local officials, it appears that yesterday’s ceremonies did not reflect the true meaning of austerity. It gives a glossy appearance that we are not in dire economic trouble.
Of course, the local officials, particularly Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who appears as the host since the ceremony was held in his city, can always hide behind the reason that the event is historic that they have to make it as memorable as it could be.
That is fine if the expenses for the huge stage and other preparations made came from their pockets. The problem, though, is that all the expenses come from the government coffers, which are the contributions of every taxpayer.
I doubt if President Arroyo was amused by the gargantuan and lavish preparations yesterday, which were contrary to her wishes of a simple and austere ceremonies.
BENEFIT. Be that as it may, yesterday’s historic moment had some advantages and benefits for the local economy. The five-star hotels were fully booked by the foreign dignitaries who attended the ceremonies.
A friend and his family from Melbourne, Australia, who were here on a vacation, were advised by the Marriot hotel management to move to another hotel on Tuesday since foreign diplomats were to stay in that same hotel.
With all the trappings in yesterday’s ceremonies, the new administration of President Arroyo, who got a real fresh mandate from the Filipinos, particularly from the Cebuanos, deserves best wishes and may her new team of leaders immediately attend to the pressing problems of the country.
Of course, this does not mean that the public already forgot the Jose Pidal account scandal. The last elections had not erased the immorality or irregularity that the First Gentleman was mired into.
It is the majority sentiment of the public that Congress should be more open and transparent. It should uphold the principle of checks and balance and not try to cover up the misdeeds of the tenants in Malacañang.
Certainly, I am not a doomsayer. But the intermittent rain before the oath- taking ceremonies yesterday could mean two things. It could be understood as good tidings to Arroyo’s new administration. It could also be understood the other way around.
(July 1, 2004 issue)
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