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Saturday, July 16, 2005
Roperos: Guv’s first year
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
There is really no need for Gov. Gwen Garcia to talk elaborately on her first year in office. It is a recognized fact that the first year of her first term as governor, and, in fact, her first ever experience in managing the affairs of a political entity, has been a very eventful one.
It did not only go through a period of political turmoil on a national scale, but it also went through a gamut of internal conflict among the men and women who inhabit the aging/aged rooms of the Capitol.
Last night, she delivered her first state of the province report. But she was earlier reported as not really being so keen on talking about her accomplishments. She would rather talk about the many things that have still to be done. Which is sound enough: what has been accomplished can be seen or noted.
What still have to be done should be revealed in the spirit of openness. That is a refreshing attitude that could come only from a beginning politician whose views of politics and public service are still quite ideologically oriented. Her view of civil service seems still anchored on a strong yen to do things seriously.
The report in this daily said that what the governor still has to do includes “the construction of a farmers’ center, considered the ‘centerpiece’ of her agricultural and food production program.”
Also in her list of “to do” items last year was the establishment of a women’s center that would include a shelter especially for victims of abuse, counseling and support program, where the women can get skills and livelihood training.
The governor had also envisioned the establishment of a trade and exhibit center in a two-hectare lot that would have space for trade exhibits “as well as world-class amenities.”
But still, the Lady Governor’s first year did produce a quite commendable number of accomplishments, such as the enrollment of “the largest number of indigents to the Philhealth program among local governments.” She had reportedly decentralized the purchase of medicines to prevent delay.
On the “less material” side, she did battle with some members of her Provincial Board over matters that have to do with politics--the very thing that has always figured in most imbroglios, deterioration of relationship among public officials and delays and failures in the accomplishment of projects for the common welfare of provincial folks.
But she did do some things in the area “of power and water and implemented programs for tourism and for tourism and the preservation of Cebu’s heritage.”
Lately, on the tail end of her first year of service as Cebu governor, which means up to yesterday, she has involved herself in the carpentry of what could become a republic in this part of Asia and the Pacific. Well, that seems to be quite deeply quixotic, if not a high-risk incursion into the deeper waters of democratic politics.
But it is an inevitable involvement that carries a measure of power politics too difficult to avoid in the face of the prevailing national condition. There is no way Guv Gwen can turn away from it.
On the whole, however, I am sure everyone would agree with the capital “S” grade she give herself for her first year in public service, considering her youth and political inexperience.
(July 16, 2005 issue)
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