IN THE first inspirational message of City Mayor Benjamin Magalong during Monday’s flag raising ceremony at City Hall, he gave vent to his sentiments in his first few days as the new chief executive of the city government of Baguio.
It was a toxic first week he said in his report to his subordinates in City Hall so much so that he encouraged his fellow public servants to change their mindset and make sure that what they will do will have a long term effect that will benefit the people of Baguio. He likewise encouraged his fellow workers not to be distracted with petty things that would only waylay their attention and instead try to focus on the bigger picture of effectively serving the public.
From his words, Mayor Magalong is setting the tone on how he will manage and supervise the city, establishing the parameters that would realize his vision and goal of a brighter and better Baguio.
It also reveals his plan of coming up with a strategic approach on how to solve the various concerns and challenges that has long plagued the city.
Take for instance the traffic problem that has become a constant reminder of how small Baguio really is and how the almost constant stream of motor vehicles and the traffic congestion it creates has affected the very fabric of everyday life.
Under previous administrations, so many possible solutions were attempted and implemented, and for a while, it would seem as if the city had somehow managed its traffic concerns to a comfortable level acceptable to everybody. But all along we understand and realize that all previous measures that were tried to stave off the worsening traffic problem were at best temporary solutions to an anticipated long term problem that will not simply go away.
As far as the traffic problem is concerned the challenge now for our mayor is to try and find a long term and more or less permanent solution that would, in his short stint of three years, somehow untangle the seemingly Gordian knot traffic situation in the city. Perhaps that is why in his message during last Monday’s flag raising ceremony he implored everyone to have a change in their mindset, a new way of looking at things and a strategic approach that aims for lasting solutions instead of stop-gap and half-hearted measures.
Surely he cannot do it alone that is why every time he communicates and engages with someone he projects a leadership persona of one who inspires so that others will be encouraged to do the same. This is exactly what is needed if we are to realize a better Baguio in the future.
Finally, if everybody will be inspired in working to make Baguio a better place to live in then permanent solutions to problems like traffic and garbage will certainly be just around the corner.