Thursday, November 15, 2007 Ong: The predictable claims of Treņas-Mabilog By Ted Ong Misreadings
IF Ilonggos have the luxury of time to listen intently on the discussion of the brilliant Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog in defense of the proposed 100-MW coal-fired power plant, one would be caught in awe and wonder if he knows what he is talking about.
One time, our group issued a statement to counter the claims of the Treņas-Mabilog administration in its "endorsement" of the power plant project because its assertions lack the data proving such a gargantuan coal plant is necessary for Iloilo City to supply the electricity needed for the development agenda of the current administration.
As a consistent observer of the Treņas-Mabilog administration, it is safe to say that this administration is out to exploit the ignorance of the public on the real issues that beset the local power industry. This is embarrassing, as the public and international observers that likewise monitor the development of this issue could read about the inaccurate information in the public statements of the top city executives.
This issue alone proves that Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treņas and Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog are predictable. One would expect the next thing that these city executives would say on the issue. I give credit to the Mayors of Banate, Barotac Viejo, and Concepcion who willingly defended this project in their municipalities like what Treņas and Mabilog are doing today.
The reason for this is simple. Whatever claims they have is nothing new, the points they are raising is antiquated and the information that they are releasing before the public is so general that it cannot even be considered as facts.
The Freedom from Debt Coalition and the broader group Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise) have been called and branded by all sorts of names in order to diminish its integrity. However, it is not as predictable compared to Mayor Treņas and Vice Mayor Mabilog.
In its ranks are people who have worked as partners with various local government units in pursuance of pro-people development agenda. In many instances, some of our colleagues have worked with Mayor Treņas and some of the councilors in line with the city government's environmental protection program and solid waste management.
In fact, many non-government organizations are accredited by the city government and are members of the city development council. Some access the funds of the city government while others are not like the FDC and Rise.
Likewise, in its roster are former professors or colleagues of Vice Mayor Mabilog in the University of the Philippines and in various civic organizations that proves that the brilliant Vice Mayor is a distinguished person in society.
Aside from the careful study of facts, their inputs on how the mind of our city executives' work provides invaluable edge in shaping an over-all analysis on the issue at hand. This is the reason why it will not require a junket and ocular visit to coal plants in Taiwan for these groups to arrive at an intelligent conclusion on the issue of coal-fired power plant.
It is shallow for our politicians to travel to Taiwan in order for them to be clarified if coal plants are indeed highly-polluting or are posing danger to human health. But this is an old issue which our politicians could have looked into a long time ago. Isn't that politicians expected to be visionaries? In the ancient world, leaders are considered gods because of their wisdom in predicting the future.
Our experience in dealing with local government executives on the issue of coal plants points out there are fewer visionaries in government today. This "statistics" is aggravated by the addition of Mayor Treņas and Vice Mayor Mabilog. (Comments to tao.kolumnista@gmail.com.)
