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Monday, April 25, 2005
Antalan: Growing pains
By Roger Antalan
Dateline Igacos
"There ought to be a law against out of tune singing."
SYUDAD na ni! (This is now a city!). This expression, spoken with a Lumad inflection, is said when there is a new development in Igacos. The Island Garden City of Samal became a city last March 1998. The city however is still very rural in atmosphere and appearance.
The proverbial growing pains oftentimes accompany new progress and development. And it is not like the discomfort of a young man or woman about to become an adult. More seriously, the new changes affect the livelihood and income of the small entrepreneurs.
Last wee, for example, the Island Garden City Express fielded eight brand new buses. The majority of the commuters hailed this new mode of transport. All the trips are full. The people do not have to change rides from the passenger jeepneys to the passenger boats.
But the Multicabs and the boats are losing their business. The Multicab operators are very much affected and they have to pay their monthly amortizations. Some people say, "But that is progress. The riding public has the right to choose what transportation to take."
Initially, the system followed is that of the big cities. Buses can only go from terminal to terminal and cannot pick up passengers from the poblacion or the market place. Other solutions are now being studied to protect and help the small transport operators.
Last year, before Christmas, the big Central Warehouses mall opened in Penaplata. Big crowds flocked to the mall. A lot of the older folks have not seen a mall all their lives. The prices of commodities are the same as in Davao City. And the residents do not have to cross the channel.
The small stores in the island and even the big stores were affected and were losing a big number of customers. But the general public welcomed the presence of a superstore. As of the present, things have quieted down. Very few have really closed, and the sukis are sticking with the old stores because of the practice of cash advance and the open credit.
The local government worked very hard to build farm-to-market roads, bring power and electricity to all the 46 barangays, and provide water supply. Not all are happy. Fruit trees and coconuts have to be cut to provide the requirements of the right of way. Some landowners have even gone to court to prevent the clearing for the basic services.
Who would think that people complain about the concreting roads. Mayroon pa rin. There is so much over-speeding and motorists do not want to buy protective helmets. The roads are too wide, and once again the problem of right of way.
The karaoke is a wonderful invention suited for Filipinos who love to sing. But neighbors complain about the noise pollution. There ought to be a law against out of tune singing. But these present-day singing boxes, locally called "tokens", give out high scores to those who sing very loud even without the correct tune!
The ultimate dream of the Samaleños is to have a bridge connecting the island to Davao City. As early as now, warning alarms have been sounded. The proposed bridge will destroy the beauty of the island as a tourist attraction. It will bring in crimes and drugs, prostitution, gambling, squatters, etc.
These are but a few samples of the growing pains of a young city. Like the young with the usual attendant growing pains. Igacos will have to brace itself for the advent of new changes. Urban amenities have a price.
H.A. Ironsides has a prayer for adulthood: "Oh God, keep me from becoming a foolish old man. Help me end well." The city in the heart of Davao Gulf must learn to grow old gracefully.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 25, 2005 issue)
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