Friday, April 18, 2008 Wenceslao: Smoking ban, Minglanilla and a vice mayor By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
MUCH has been said about the case of a 39-year-old homosexual and the actuation of the medical team that pulled out a perfume canister stuck in his anus in January. So I think it is time to tackle less controversial topics for the moment. First is the complaint of reader Ronald Veloso, who called me up to complain about people smoking in buses.
“Capitol must find ways to implement the ban on this practice,” Veloso said.
He added that for starters, “no smoking” notices should be made prominent inside passenger vehicles. I say Mr. Veloso's lament is legitimate. It looks like the implementation of the smoking ban in passenger buses and jeepeneys has been neglected for other concerns.
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I strayed into the Minglanilla fish port the other week while resting a bum knee that hampered my effort to sweat out bad cholesterol by jogging. I did see a few fishing boats there but that was about it. What was observable was that the facility is in need of attention. The signage that must have toppled months ago is still leaning against the wall.
Minglanilla is perceived to be a progressive town, and judging from the growth of some subdivisions and the entry of branches of popular fastfood chains like Jollibee and Andok's and drug stores like Rose Pharmacy and Mercury Drug, this could be true. But proof of that perception is not visible in the “look” of the town's important facilities.
To be fair with the Municipal Government, it must have other priorities. And one should not overlook the changes in the town plaza, which now attracts a good number of town folk and allows a better view of the Immaculate Heart of Mary church. But other structures, like the sports complex and the gymnasium badly needs rehabilitation.
Minglanilla is hemmed in by two growing cities, Talisay and Naga. Talisay being near Cebu City is naturally feeling the spillover of economic growth aside from projects initiated by Rep. Eduardo Gullas. Naga boasts of a reclamation area that has changed the face of the town center. A sense of dynamism must be felt in Minglanilla, too.
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I accidentally met the young Tudela town Vice Mayor Clint Maratas the other day on my way to the Sun.Star office. It turned out he was on the way to Manila for the election of the new set of officers of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines. Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who is running for league president, should be elated.
Maratas said he has no other choice but to vote for a fellow Cebuano in Rama. I think this is also the stand of the other vice mayors in Cebu province after Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna backed off from the race. Together with the active support of Mayor Tomas Osmena to Rama's candidacy, chances are he will snag the post.
I asked Maratas about the shooting incident that wounded Tudela Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo's aide recently. He said it is possible the mayor was the target of the gunman, although he did not think the act was politically motivated. I don't know what has happened to the police probe, but the case should be solved as soon as possible.
Maratas, like Poro Councilor Ronald Carcellar, a former vice mayor himself, belong to the new breed of leaders in Camotes. Carcellar has been elected to a post in the recently concluded election of officers of the national councilors’ league. Congrats!
