Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Ledesma: A new breed of leader By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
I DOFF my hat to vice and presently acting mayor "Inday" Sara Duterte for standing her ground on the sensitive issue of billboards.
The dismantling of illegal and hazardous advertising billboards has begun. Slowly, but surely. I don't think that Inday Sara will relent to backdoor appeal of some quarters to reconsider her decision.
I said slowly because I still see clusters of giant billboards in thickly populated areas and along pedestrian lanes and busy highways like those at the foot of Bankerohan Bridge. At least those near Agdao overpass had been taken down.
The outdoor advertising people apparently have given up on their attempt to seek reconsideration from the vice mayor. They just have to face the fact that Inday Sara is not inclined to tolerate unlawful operations.
Early on I sensed that some wise guys in the outdoor advertising industry tried to drag the name of neophyte councilor Paolo Duterte by maliciously suggesting that he is favoring a firm, which is into outdoor ads.
That merely incensed the Dutertes resulting in the swift tearing down of many billboards including tarpaulin ads. The survival now of the business is dependent on their compliance of the rules and regulations of outdoor ads.
I am looking forward to seeing the majestic Mt. Apo while it bathes in the early morning rays of the sun. Gone are the days when you can have a good view of the mount as you approach Bolton Bridge.
Towering billboards that warily rise from the roadside and the rooftops of houses at the SIR had hidden the panoramic view of Mt. Apo. I hope that the splendor of the Philippines tallest mountain will be finally visible again.
But most of all, I thank Acting Mayor Inday Sara for looking after the protection of those who are dwelling under and adjacent to the menacing billboards and for the pedestrians and motorists who pass and ply the roads where many of these precarious ad structures are mushrooming. The irony of this all is that where there are populations and thousands of passersby there too are these structures bloom.
BTW, vociferous proponents in the city council against internet cafes who cater internet games and firms which offer purely video games to school children should learn their lessons from the uncompromising leadership style of Inday Sara.
After coming out in the media with their plans to run after Internet operators whom they blamed for the alarming increase of students dropping out of school, they just faded out. Not even a pipsqueak can be heard from these limp crusaders.
Sometimes you cannot help but suspect their motives why they come out like a smoking guns only to retreat to complete silence. Now you can surmise what suasions suddenly deterred them from pursuing their crusade. Well, ladies and gentlemen, especially the ladies, if you cannot sustain your fight, better not start it at all. Unless of course you have an entirely different agenda.
