Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Malilong: A government official's statement By Frank Malilong Jr. The Other Side
It does not surprise me to hear leftist leaders criticize the preparations for the 12th Asean summit next week. A press release from the “Asean People’s Camp Media” last Saturday again lashed at the “Imeldific makeover” of the host cities and the “Marcosian measure” allegedly targeting militant groups planning to hold protest actions during the summit.
What I did not expect to see was a ranking government man mouthing exactly the same line. Okay, his mandate is to promote and safeguard human rights but how could human rights commission Regional Director Alejandro Alonso have arrived at the conclusion that preparations for the gathering are unwarranted?
Alonso, according to a report in a local paper, has decried the budget for food of the foreign delegates as “too much expenditure” when “there are many people who are still suffering from hunger in our society.” He also criticized the “no-permit no-rally” policy, the closure of some roads, the presence of so many police and military men from other regions, the eviction of squatters and the beautification projects, all in connection with the summit.
“Why only now?” Alonso reportedly remarked in questioning the timing of the beautification projects.
That’s a valid question, I must admit. Indeed, why haven’t we thought of beautifying the city much earlier? On the other hand, just because we failed to do it earlier, is it Alonso’s position that we can’t do it now? If not now, then when?
As for the “no-permit, no-rally” policy, isn’t that what the law says? Or does Alonso propose that this legal requirement be waived because there is a summit?
Unlike Alonso, who has attended many international conventions abroad (probably using government money) and is therefore familiar with what to feed the delegates, I am not conversant with gastronomy and its costs. But surely, he is not suggesting that we just let the heads of state and their spouses feast solely on “sutukil,” is he?
As for “making so much fuss” as if “we were preparing for war,” I couldn’t believe that such an irresponsible statement should come from a responsible official. The safety and security of the foreign delegates are our responsibility during their stay here. We cannot leave anything to chance. Mayor Tomas Osmeńa is right when he says that it is our duty to be paranoid. Wake up to reality, Mr. Alonso. We’re living in dangerous times.
We do not deny that we are poor. The plight of squatters is too visible to ignore. But we cannot allow our poverty to paralyze us from doing what is right. Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal said so himself: do not continue to use the poor as an excuse not to do something positive. His statement was published in the papers. Too bad, Alonso may not have read it or, worse, chose to ignore it.
