NEW directions, new sights, renewed insights. These signs we now see, or should see, in the new Aquino administration. For starters, we see fast changes being done like so: away with holiday economics. P-Noy had all the reasons to lead the celebration of his father's death anniversary by proclaiming August 23, a Monday, as a holiday although the actual date of the martyr's death is August 21, a Saturday. Instead of following to the letter his predecessor's pronouncements on holiday observances, P-Noy chose to do away with too many vacations as he considers valuable the time of working people, especially the daily wage earners. P-Noy is, as it is, might be truly living up to this pledge to be frugal, economical and cost-conscious. Note that he has only considered going to very important occasions overseas instead of the usual travel-filled calendar of his predecessor. For him, the money earmarked for foreign travels is better spent here and for useful purposes only.
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Away with noisy mufflers and other noise-causing gadgets. This, police and civilian authorities should do and focus on in order to give residents peaceful and undisturbed existence.
Reasonable outcry. Mabalacat residents, particularly those living in Barangays Mawaque, Sapang Biabas, Camachiles, Dapdap and, of course, Dau, regularly complain against loud and annoying sounds emitted by single bikes and tricycles.
In Dau Homesite, a rented residential unit is being used by a certain Dong as a motorcycle repair shop and then uses Ubas Street as a testing ground for motorcycles which create too much noise, especially during siesta time and even during early evening. This guy, who operates an unlicensed repair shop, thinks he owns the street and does whatever pleases him, any time of the day and night, to the discomfort of residents living at Ubas Street, including this writer. I urge Dau barangay officials headed by Punong Barangay Marino "Atlas" G. Morales, Jr., through his hardworking Administrator Willie Feliciano, to inspect this repair shop and check on its activities pronto. Ok ba, pareng Willie?
While at it, authorities should also check on private jeep and car owners, who mount loudspeakers on their vehicles and blare out loud sounds (not music, mind), also any time of the day and night. These braggarts disturb the peace and quiet of resting residents who opt to stay home to rest, instead of going to malls and other places of entertainment.
The ordinance forbidding loud mufflers and other noise-producing gadgets should be implemented strictly on all riders of single bikes and tricycles emitting loud and annoying sounds. It should not be another case of ningas kugon.
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BIR on the war path. Now, now, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, under the feisty and hardworking Commissioner Kim Jacinto Henares is seriously considering running after certified public accountants who help their clients underpay the government on their tax liabilities. Through some devices, business owners get to pay only what they wish to part away with and not the right or correct taxes. It is about time the BIR ran after all the professionals which it deems not paying the correct taxes such as doctors, lawyers, yes, accountants and others.
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Considering doing away with the non essential SK role in governance is the new Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo. A no nonsense former mayor of Naga City, this achiever wants to have a sole SK representative in the municipal or city council. You may note that we elect the SK president and the seven or ten kagawads. I agree with this suggestion since I do not see any vital role the SK rep plays in local governance. Dagdag gastos lang ang SK.
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Of course, the barangay councils should be retained and elected for not more than three years. This way, other deserving and aspiring public servants may be given their chance at governance, instead of having long-serving but impotent barangay chiefs.
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I note with enthusiasm the proposal of Cyber City Teleservices to host a review for aspiring Career Executive Service Officers or CESO. This firm, which recognizes corporate social responsibility to the hilt, is now bent on helping top-level professionals to get CESB recognition, accreditation or acceptance as full-fledged CESOs. This way, they will not be running the risk of being eased out for not having this requirement for department heads in government. In the midst of this is Cyber City's executive George Sorio.