SO I must say of Bacolod City Government's current performance versus the Covid pandemic.
Unlike last year when the Leonardia-Familiaran administration had little knowledge and experience in dealing with pandemic, and had to rely more on lockdowns and fear factors to hold people from moving, and get contaminated by Covid, with inadequate sustenance support, this year it managed the crisis with less pressures on people and economy.
It now gives stress on strict enforcement of health protocols in public, open and workspaces; expand city facilities and services for Covid victims and potential ones, 24/7 sustained and extensive vaccination campaign for all and now bringing it down to where the concentrated people are, all accompanied by right information and education.
Simultaneously, it carries out various welfare assistance to vulnerable sectors and communities, ease pressures on local businesses and assist them how to reinvigorate their recovery and stability, and keep the city open to all with any slightest form of scare tactics provided they follow minimum health protocols.
Highly appreciable in all this is the active presence, almost 24/7, of the mayor, vice-mayor, some councilors, and health frontliners, and this is something I don't see in other LGUs in the province and region.
Some charge this as political theatrics for vested ends. I don’t care at all. Ordinary folks and even elite circles, couldn't care less as well, but simply bowed their heads for the city administration's humanist, passionate moves.
Regardless of motives and means, the end results of their action speak for themselves -- more people are protected and safe, even more, people can move freely to meet their ends and mend ties with their loved ones distanced for quite a while by the pestering pandemic.
All this, while most cities are still grappling with the right strategies to put Covid at bay.
To me, this speaks of their hearts, their mindset, and quality of leadership, and no less, great governance and management wisdom and wit.
Indeed, the Bacolod City government performance deserves emulation by other LGUs, so proudly admitted by Iloilo Mayor Jerry Trenas.
I'm just so sad, and I really don't know, how the political intentions and claims for change and development by those who haven't experienced governing, managing, and developing a Highly Urbanized City can be pitted against new bred of tested urban planners, development leaders, and highly passionate middle-class intelligentsia notwithstanding their shortcomings.
Just a perspective.