Monday, December 04, 2006 Nalzaro: Temporary ceasefire By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
I AM one of those who are very vocal against the huge spending the national and the three local government units (LGUs) are making to prepare for the four-day Asean summit. I have said repeatedly that some officials are using the event as an excuse to hide their personal and selfish motives, as well as moneymaking ventures. The Cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu declared their respective areas under imminent danger of calamity so they could utilize their calamity fund for this purpose.
The two LGU’s even applied for multi-million loans. Cebu City, for its part, bought new vehicles for the police and appropriated millions to entertain members of international media and on the beautification projects.
I also raised the question on the necessity of constructing the Cebu International Convention Center as venue for the summit. I also am skeptical about the facility’s future? I am afraid it will become a white elephant.
I am one of those who also criticized the overacting security preparations made by the government by sending battalions of armed forces and police personnel here to secure the delegates. I am also one of those who sympathized with residents who were displaced and uprooted from the lots they were occupying because they were classified as eyesores and security risks for our foreign guests. And there are many other Asean-related issues.
But I am willing to call for a moratorium. In the meantime, I have to set aside my personal views and criticisms against the officials and personalities involved in these “questionable” dealings to show my support for the success of this international event. As a citizen, we should contribute in whatever way we can to make this event a success, much more so that I am with the media. The Philippine media will be playing a vital role in the forthcoming activity through responsible news reporting.
Yes, I agree that this international gathering will not directly solve the province’s poverty problems. But the summit’s economic gains will soon trickle down to various sectors, like the hotel, transportation and business sectors, to mention a few.
So we urge everyone to set aside personal and political differences and to unite to make this event a success. To the militant organizations, criminal elements and vigilantes, can we ask for a moratorium? Maghusay ug magpadayon ra ta after the Asean summit.
