GOOD thing, that Limketkai Sons Inc., has clarified that there was no “proper” communication made by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Northern Mindanao, in extension with city government, and that is why technically they were not aware of the government's plan about drainage and curbing the urban flooding in CM Recto Avenue.
So they are basically saying - write a formal letter and let them notify. Limketkai group also dismissed stories that they rejected the government's plans and alternatives. Not really, because they are still waiting for that formal letter.
While letters are important in documentations, both Limketkai and the government missed to see that flooding in CM Recto has been a problem... probably going back to the time when Cagayan de Oro begins improving and buildings were obstructing the natural landscapes and water basins.
Which means these projects that aimed in reducing, or even preventing, flooding should have been acted as soon as possible.
The public, however, are baffled by how the DPWH-Northern Mindanao and the city government are negotiating with one of Cagayan de Oro's wealthy families.
We are at the notion that the government is less imposing when it comes to dealing with properties involving Limketkai, when all this time, the Bitan-ag Creek - critical in causing the flood - had its parts under the private business enterprise's property.
Some people suggest enforcing the Law of Eminent Domain, as this, after all, is a matter of public concern and that the Creek is of public property or basically no one owns it.
In addition, the government should have seen all legal remedies to find what is needed in addressing violations of private entities in constructing edifices that go against environmental laws.
However, it seems the government is a bit apologetic for not furnishing that formal letter.
The operative words that the DPWH-Northern Mindanao and the city government might have lacked: sheer political willpower.
***
Cagayan de Oro should also be concerned with issues on vehicle ownership and parking spaces.
In Congress, a bill was filed that once passed into law, no one is allowed to own vehicles without having a garage in their houses.
The city is getting small with all the establishments sprouting. It gets smaller with all the vehicles rummaging in streets - some are still remnants of the city during World War 2 era or even older.
In subdivisions, even where there are parking lots allotted in the property, some still use the roads to park their multiple vehicles.
This should be a lesson for everyone. Learn to ride public transportation and abandon those delusions that having a car is a license to brag and a social status which can become a petty joke on anyone who does not have his own parking space in his house.