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Monday, October 10, 2005
Espinoza: Keeping Cebu safe
By Elias L. Espinoza
THE rise in criminality coupled with unstable political condition has raised concern and uncertainty among our Filipino brothers in Australia. The common question my friends asked me was, “Kumusta na si President Arroyo?”
They were also concerned about the threat posed by terrorists. Their burning desire to come home for a visit or vacation is always clouded with fear for their limbs and lives especially with the recent suicide bombing in Bali, Indonesia.
In dispelling their doubts and fears, I assured them that Cebu is still a paradise. While crimes against persons or property may have increased, the peace and order situation in Metro Cebu is still manageable.
They were also very aware of SPO1 Adonis Dumpit’s alleged “Dirty Harry” crusade against criminal elements. Although some of our countrymen down under don’t object to summary killings of known criminals, a majority of them still believe in due process.
The point here is that no matter how the Department of Tourism markets the Philippines abroad, tourists will always think twice about coming if our political governance is unstable and the crime rate is high.
The notion that the bombings in Bali would benefit us leaves so much to be desired. Our military hierarchy even hinted that Visayas is vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
This is one of the reasons that some tourists or balikbayans hesitate to come or visit our country. The Arroyo administration, being a party to President Bush’s attack of Saddam Hussein, made us an easy target for terrorists.
As far as I could remember, though, Cebu or Metro Cebu has never been the object of terrorist attacks. This should not be a reason for the Arroyo administration and every Cebuano to be complacent.
I was told Cebu is the only place where outlaws take their rest and recreation.
On this point, Cebu Mayor Tomas Osmena should reconsider his previous statements about inspiring vigilante-style killings in the city. Summarily eliminating criminals does not stop the crime. It only adds up to the toll of unsolved crimes and scares off tourists.
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The revelation that hospitals in Cebu City generates 1,600 kilos of infectious wastes of which only a few go to a hazardous waste treatment facility is simply scary.
As to where the rest of the volume of hospital waste is dumped is for the city health offices and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to discover.
If Pollute Abatement Systems Specialist Inc. only receives 32 to 57 kilos of hospitals wastes everyday, where does the bulk of the hazardous waste dumped by the hospitals go?
In this computer age, I simply cannot believe that our government is so lax, if not still backward, in the enforcement of environmental laws, as well as sanitation.
We may have modern hospital equipment but most hazardous wastes from hospitals reportedly end up in dumpsites without undergoing treatment.
Hospitals should not compromise the health of the people over the cost of treating their hazardous wastes. It is never too late though for health authorities to strictly implement the laws on hospital waste management.
(October 10, 2005 issue)
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