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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Editorials: Architect Guanzon’s P.5M bet on CICC
When some people expressed doubts about the completion of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) on Nov. 15 for the Asean summit in December, they were regarded as cynics who couldn't see anything good coming.
Of course, Capitol leaders and the CICC builders didn't say that publicly. They are too polite to lash out at unbelievers.
But one notes the fretting. Architect Manuel Guanzon's offer to bet P.5 million is no playful whim. When Filipinos bet on a non-gambling activity, it is usually to answer a challenge to honesty or capability and heal some bruised ego.
Look at facts, though. People, especially those who can't distinguish a large beam from a girder (they are the same, we are told), can see little at the site that can convince them the CICC will be completed on time.
That, despite assurances that most everything else, after the superstructure, is prefab and just attached and lo! there is the building.
Distrust
They can't blame plain people who not only trust their eyes more than architects' spiel but also distrust government with all its fiascos.
Maybe, the public has to be reminded that Capitol is different and the leader is someone young and dynamic, not stereotype bureaucrat, a governor who has staked her name on the project.
But then the public can retort that its stake is much greater. The name put on the bloc by the hosting of the Asean summit is not of any individual local leader but the name of Cebu and Cebuanos.
The public needs to understand our leaders' irritation. But our leaders must also understand the public's jitters.
Public skepticism may even encourage the builders to work harder. Let the disbelief goad them to meet the deadline.
And we can do away with money bets. There is no larger bet than the reputation of entire Cebu and its people.
Building violations
Cebu City Hall is riled by violations of a mall and wants to shut it down unless it pays P10 million compromise.
Can the public see concern too from City Hall over the Cebu City Police Office building that PNP inspectors have declared as fire hazard?
An unsettled issue of land ownership is blamed, which doesn't wash because CCPO can remove the hazard without constructing a new building.
City Hall must go against violators, including government agencies. Disaster strikes even in public places that can't pay the City P10 million.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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