THE election may be a year away, but for some, it’s never too early to prepare, especially when the path to victory is paved with potholes. That holds especially true for Cebu City, where many of the side streets look like these belong in a war zone.
But I’m not hear to talk about poor or lack of infrastructure. No. Instead, I’d like to call attention to what Mayor Tomas Osmeña has been doing in the last few weeks.
Talk about racking up pogi points.
He could have ignored that one student who asked him to consider opening the city library 24/7. But not only did he agree, he also announced that he would open additional study centers around the city.
Kaching!
Then the other day, he distributed rental subsidies to city scholars from the mountain barangays.
Never mind that Osmeña evicted them from the city condominium a year ago after the OBO and the DEPW condemned the structure because not only does it show signs of damage—it was built in the late ‘90s, after all, and survived two major earthquakes and countless aftershocks--it also sits on top of a sinkhole.
Anyway, another kaching!
Also the other day, Osmeña announced that the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) will be open 24/7 starting on April 5.
It was another netizen who made it happen.
A certain Zion Kristoffer Isobal had posted on the mayor’s social media account, asking him if he could convert the CCSC into a 24/7 facility like the city library.
“I couldn’t think of a better running place at night, away from the prowling backs of bad guys and those who cover their faces hunched on motorcycles,” Isobal had said.
“Away from the prowling backs”... I mean, who could say no to such eloquence?
The mayor, though, is on a roll, and added that the City Government will put up a study center in the area.
For someone who basically eats, sleeps and breathes oval, I was ecstatic about the news. When I told the woman who mans the booth at the entrance about it, she just looked at me and said, “Ngano diay, Sir? Mo-jog kag alas dose sa gabii?”
Hmm. But that was not my point.
We have a mayor who actually listens to the clamor of his constituents.
Obviously he can’t solve the spate of violence that has befallen the city. Osmeña himself admitted that the city has become a dangerous place to live in. Just last weekend, several unidentified men carrying high-powered firearms staged an ambush outside a well-known establishment next to the business center.
Nor can he solve traffic congestion.
So 24/7 study centers and track oval it is!