NO, I am not referring to the Alabama country single which I normally play over my daily radio show at Country FM. I am actually reiterating the reality: "There is no way for anyone, any entity, any group, or government unit to satisfy all."
To please everyone without exemption is definitely impossible.
Yes, there's no way for a 100 percent satisfaction rate if all parties concerned are to be used as basis for feedback and evaluation.
Last Saturday, I decided to drop by the public market for a few essentials. On my way to Hilltop, I chanced upon individuals carrying old roofing materials, wood, baskets, veggies, fruit, fish, and other merchandise from voluntarily dismantled stalls at the block-3 area of the trade center.
Amidst all the hassle, I was able to ask a vendor on the rationale behind the initiative. It was then I learned that the affected merchants were given only until 5:00 am of the next day to vacate the place and were being relocated to the Slaughter House Compound area.
After years, if not decades of tolerating the dilapidated block-three "eyesore" and "fire-trap" in the market, the local government finally moved for its improvement and rehabilitation. An initiative welcomed by many, but spurned by some of the affected vendors.
As part of a tourist destination's trade center, the area definitely needs improvement. No questions about that. Block-three has been a "glaring eyesore" for quite some time now.
It's rusted roofs, narrow passageways, filthy canals and waterways, plus the lack of ventilation has added-up to the site's "unhygienic congestion" which met both market-goers and sellers throughout the years.
It has been reported the area's "tight" and "interlocking" passages also served as "escape routes" for snatchers and pickpockets in the past. One only had to observe to see that the "old set-up" of the area was a conducive "haven" for "thieves on the run".
While stalls were voluntarily being dismantled last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to bump-into our city legal officer who was also in the market then. Truth is, I felt rather embarrassed as I barely recognized him in casual clothes that afternoon. A brief chat followed and I was enlightened with the city's plan on improving the "rundown" portion.
Using the recently rehabilitated market area which was gutted by fire a coupled of years back as an example, the good attorney explained Block-three would be converted to a more presentable, cleaner, more comfortable, more market-goer friendly, and better ventilated selling site. In fact, city funds have already been earmarked for the undertaking.
Naturally, sacrifices have to be made while rehabilitation is on-going. Affected stall holders and vendors are left with no choice but to test the "business climate" at the Slaughter House Compound relocation site. Who knows, business might even prove to be better with the transfer for some.
In addition, perhaps more temporary selling areas may be identified to accommodate the displaced vendors and stall holders who also need to continue providing for their families as not to deprive them of the right to gainful employment.
Though the relocation area is not that proximate to the main market, less competition for patrons may also be expected. Perhaps if the buying public would be well informed of the alternative purchasing site, the move might end up fruitful for stakeholders. Like they always say, "the more...the merrier." Buyers will have more choices to market for goods, the main trade center may become less constricted, the area would be more tourist friendly, more hygienic,...and yes, a "firetrap" shall have been removed and replaced with a safer structure.
Yes, the improvement of Block three and other parts of the market is long overdue. Although some affected merchants are not so happy with the move, other sellers welcome the improvement as a prudent move for the majority.
Of course, affected stall holders are expectant they would be re-installed at Block- three once improvement and rehabilitation works are over. To prioritize new applicants would surely be "another story."
The bottomline is, yes it is downright impossible to please everyone, to try and do so would be tantamount to "shooting at the stars."
On the other hand, how would we know if implementations and orders are for the better. Well, one of the best ways to do so is to simply ask the question: "Does the move truly cater to the welfare of the majority without causing injustice to the others?" If the answer is NO, then STOP...STOP...STOP and reassess the situation; If the answer is YES...then GO...GO...GO and move on...
ANONYMOUS QUERY, OPINION THIS WEEK:
Sent by JL of LT: "I am a commuter from La Trinidad, I would like to call the attention of concerned associations and agencies in charge of careless and arrogant PUJ drivers. A passenger with a baby and a child in the jeepney (with plate number AYM-581) I rode last Saturday evening asked for the jeepney to be stopped somewhere along Bokawkan road so they could disembark. To our surprise, the passenger with a baby almost stumbled out of the vehicle because the driver started to drive forward even if she still did not completely alight. Luckily, fellow passengers shouted for the driver to stop and the passenger was able to hold on to something and balance herself with her baby. I hope all PUJ-drivers will be more careful and not arrogantly rush when unloading and loading passengers."
Please feel free to send your anonymous comments, queries and opinions via email to nickprillc@yahoo.com or nickprillc@gmail.com, your email ads and identities will be treated with utmost confidentiality.