THE Department of Health (DOH) has repeatedly aired its concern over the number of injuries caused by firecrackers. Sec. Janette Garin, in her recent statement, suggested that a study should be made on how to strictly enforce firecracker ban because of the many casualties recorded through the years some of which were fatal.
Close to 500 incidents of injuries have so far been reported this yearend and Secretary Garin took note that most of the victims were children. It is funny however that the pretty Secretary appeared to be stupidly oblivious that somewhere in the Philippines, a city noted for its peace and disciplined community, firecracker ban is strictly enforced and the residents observe it as strictly as they do with smoking ban.
Garin wants a study and this presupposes that the health department will set aside budget for this exercise. Have not, her regional directors and other health officials, advised her that in Davao City the ban on pyrotechnics has been strictly enforced? Zero firecracker-related injuries look like a challenging objective but it has always been achieved in Davao City.
Am certain that politics has something to do with Secretary Garin’s pretense and ignorance about Davao City’s feat in enforcing firecracker and smoking ban. Why belabor the issue when all that she should do is sit down with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and ask him about how he dealt with these two health issues, which are among the prime concern under her department. I am quite certain that Duterte will create time for her. Remember BIR Commissioner Kim Henares? The controversial Revenue head was up in her arms on the inability of the Customs Bureau to stop rice smuggling in Davao Port. She knew it was not actually the responsibility of the Mayor to run after rice smugglers. But she sought the help of Duterte anyway.
Duterte has many friends in the government law enforcement agencies. He sought their assistance and in less than 10 days he had in his possession the identity and even the picture of the suspect a certain David Tan alias David Bangayan. During the Senate hearing called for the purpose of curbing rice smuggling in the country, the suspect was so confident his identity and link to rice smuggling syndicate will not be revealed the bastard even had the gull to attend the senate hearing.
Mayor Duterte was summoned to the hearing. In the course of interrogation, the feisty Mayor pointed at David Tan aka Bangayan as the brain. At the peak of his anger, he warned that if the suspect attempts to set foot in Davao Port to unload his contraband again he will gladly shoot him.
The next time I saw Commissioner Henares she was having a fun time with Duterte at the lobby of Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City.
I asked to have their picture taken and she was happy to pose with Digong. Since that time I have not heard of any rice smuggling in the Ports of Davao, a practice which was commonplace in the past. Back to Secretary Garin, you don’t need a congressional act to ban firecrackers like what President Aquino, your boss, recommends. You only have to talk to one man -- the Davao City Mayor.
Do not be scared of secret agents spotting you with Duterte. You are on official business and you mean well. Besides this inutile administration will soon come to pass and your nightmare will be over.
I don’t think the anointed Mar Roxas will make it anyway. Whether he will retain you or not, in case Duterte makes it on the Presidential race, the thing is you will get to know firsthand why and how Mayor Rodrigo RoaDuterte can successfully enforce a ban on what is admittedly an ingrained traditional practice of Pinoys during the Christmas eve and the new year, and, the ban on “Yosi Kadiri”.
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On a personal note, may I express my personal gratitude to my readers for patiently following this corner and for excusing the grammatical errors that I am prone to commit. Happy and Prosperous New Year to all and let us all hope for the realization of the radical change that we all hope for through all these years!!!