(Editor's note: Starting this Monday and every Monday and Wednesday thereafter, the column of the author, the current head of the Metro Angeles City Journalists Association, Inc., can now be read in Sun.Star Pampanga)
THE good change that many people are expecting is perchance imminent with the new leadership of Duterte. He arrived in Malacañang wearing a very simple barong with a small flag of the Philippines patched on the left side of his chest. Some veteran journalists who have been covering inaugurations were also unaccustomed to a president wearing khaki pants on the special day. The ceremony was down-the-line authentic from aura of the incoming president to the closed fist gestures of some VIPs in their barong whenever the recording cameras pan their way. The scene was very Filipino--even the dish that was served is pure and not pretentious unlike the theatrics of the so-called "sacrifice" wedding reception of a known couple more than six years ago who thought could fit a powerful position.
Change has been the watchword during the president's campaign but he stressed during his inaugural speech that the dream of change should start within us and the whole community. A leader can only act as the catalyst for the desired goal but it's really up to us to take cue from our motivator. Instead of just watching and observing as action takes place, why not get involved in changing for the better. Let's see things in a new perspective.
Most often than not, netizens tend to play the blame game on social media. And when there is a question raised for consideration or solution, it's easy to point fingers against the government. A favourite example of typical discussion is about traffic congestion. This topic is always a hot item on the internet as many FB users express displeasure through their wall posts as if it's becoming therapeutic against their rage if not becoming irresponsible keyboard warriors.
Let's not get far away - just go local. Almost every day, you see status post from netizens whining about traffic along the busy streets of Pampanga cities here in San Fernando, Angeles and Mabalacat. Without using the mind to process and consider something carefully, these trigger-happy folks pick and prey on the obvious - the traffic enforcers. I had a chance to talk one-on-one with Angeles City Traffic and Development Office head, Dan Concepcion. Yes, he is the owner of that giant mausoleum inside the memorial park, and a successful entrepreneur who has volunteers and dedicates his precious time and resources in decongesting the traffic along the thoroughfares in the highly urbanized city--and he already made a positive mark during his initial days as the traffic czar.
Concepcion pointed out suggestions for a better and smooth pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow and that decongesting traffic cannot be solved by a lone office. It should be a collaborative effort between the public and the private. His suggestions to really have that desired change come to reality include strict implementation of the law that might make him and the local government unpopular--a risk he is willing to take in the name of public service. Vehicles traversing the road are not the only contributory factor to the traffic congestion. We all contribute traffic - from violating laws as a pedestrian or as a commuter to ignoring rules as a driver to obstructing traffic as a business owner. There are a lot of things to consider, as Concepcion shared. But instead of becoming a source of the problem, why not become part of solution?
Rather than waiting for Business Permit and Licensing Division of the local government to warn or revoke business permit holders of establishments using their front space which is supposed to be used as sidewalks, and roadways in the performance of their business, why not make the initiative of the business owners to get rid of those themselves? Vendors should not wait for the barangay officials to warn and remind them about the violations which most likely they're aware of. Also, enterprisers who are erecting or renovating a building along major thoroughfares might want to consider construction working hours from nine in the evening when the road is not busy. In place of the usual grizzle against the traffic enforcers, I encourage my fellow countrymen to utilize their time looking to consider what follows from the positivist perspective.
*****
Did you know that President Rodrigo Duterte has thought of attending Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan's inauguration rites? This was mentioned from high-ranking officials of PNP. A general said that President Duterte may attend the inaugural ceremony of EdPam and other newly elected city officals on the same day that he took oath as the 16th president of the Philippines. On the other hand, it was Pamintuan who attended the historic event of Duterte at Malacañang in the morning of June 30. Multiplicity is what EdPam needs recently as he was also invited by Vice President Leni Robredo to attend her solemn inaugural ceremony on the same date. He's been represented by his son, Fidel, who is a very close friend of one of VP Leni's daughter, Aika.