Bautista: Breaking bad

SOME things just have to give. Not everything will be given for Juan. Especially in these times when every Juan just likes to get his way. And when they can’t get it, there’s gonna be hell.

I would remember when I was part of the Character City program. Here we instituted ways to making the city of better character and jokingly not a city of “characters”. But the joke is on us now.

I remember when I had to make a curfew for minors, at seven in the evening. At first, many would complain. Eventually, parents saw the logic in it and soon after the city council passed an ordinance to make it a law. Awards were given to the city for children’s protection and Baguio being awarded as the Most Child-Friendly City.

The police received various awards from it too. For two years consecutively they were awarded as the Best Police Office in the entire the country. The Women and Children Desk of the police in Baguio was also adjudged the best in the land and a model to all.

The city council also passed the Children’s Code from the curfew “experiment” and solidify itself as always being a national awardee for the protection of children. The ordinance has been amended a couple of times, however it is still in place and shoulder be followed.

When our neighbor La Trinidad came out with their own “breaking bad” ordinance in serving alcohol, apparently, most of their constituents went to Baguio. Soon after it was a big problem the city could not handle.

Another executive order was prepared by my office that would only allow the sales of alcohol at a certain time. As usual, many complained. Again we did it. Even the city council incentive, more took after it and passed their own version through an ordinance.

Today the mayor has been very efficient in implementing all these. It’s his job anyway. Everything is in place. Like before, the police worked hand in hand with me in making sure all is well. In business, I would explain to business owners that if it was safe in the city, business and investment and the right customers will cater to the city eventually.

Truly, the city for the first time made it as the 11th Best Economy in the country, a first. We also breached the 10 figure mark, again a first in so many years. National Conventions always chose Baguio. There were events every month to celebrate. A City Convention and Visitors Bureau was created because of all of these. Today, I hardly notice any. Every Juan is in Davao. Because it is safe.

One reason I heard lately was that her son was always home early. All because the bars were closed by the mayor. One reason I made the curfew the earliest in the country was for children to be home for dinner with family. At first, I mentioned that it was the parents that complained, in the end it was they who had asked that it be permanent. The city council who at first had doubts now realized the logic behind it and made it into a law.

The Post Office is now a target of the good mayor. Good for you. It was always a problem and an eye sore. Many times have I had the chance to do something about it but, nothing can be done. But please do. I was passed on from one office to another. First was of course the National Post Office, next was the Department of Transportation and Communication, later the Land Transportation Office, and that is just the same, even the barangay that held tiangges every time could not be touched as they say, they have permission from those in authority. Anyway mayor, go for it, every Juan is behind you.

A simple tip mayor, when we celebrated a hundred years as a city, the Postmaster General came over and gave the city a commemorative post stamp to celebrate its centennial as a city. I mentioned it to him then but he was replaced in the next administration. However, we will soon be celebrating our 110th charter as a city. Maybe take the opportunity to meet with the Postmaster General and mention it to him. Again a commemorative stamp would also be good.

All is good so far. Keep on with that breath of fresh air. Most every Juan is still behind you. I say most because I hear of some businessmen grumbling from what you are doing. Anyway, this is your time to start breaking bad.

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