It is ironic that while the program last Monday at SM City was to honor Jose Rizal and commemorate our 113th Independence Day, the students of Colegio de San Agustin have yet to learn what handling the Philippine flag involves. More ironic still is that the period from May 28 to June 11 is devoted to respect for the Philippine Flag. When they had that “dramatic” presentation of a giant flag, they bundled it like amakan, laid it down on the floor and spread it like they were spreading out a bed sheet. Maybe they meant well, but they should learn that the national flag has its legal protocols on how it is to be folded and handled, not bundled and laid on the floor no matter the intentions. Dramatic effect does not give license to handle the flag as one pleases. The intended effect could have been achieved without having to desecrate the flag.
* * * * Several months ago I proposed that in order to decongest downtown Bacolod of traffic snarls the best thing to do is prohibit parking along main thoroughfares and impose fees for parking in public streets. Strictly, a street is for passage, not for private use that deprives others of the benefit of smooth movement. A temporary parking is tolerable but when used as a private parking area for businesses and offices around the city’s commercial area during work times, that becomes illegal. I am glad that Councilor El Cid Familiaran has taken up the cudgels because citizens that we are depend on the positive responses of our officials whether elected or appointed. That is the essence of democracy which many in government have forgotten or choose to ignore as if they are power in themselves and they can act at their pleasure. As I wrote then, prohibiting parking in the main street will inconvenience motorists so that the government must make available parking areas. The parking spaces of the Bacolod plaza can be used for parking but for a fee. Pay parking is nothing new but has become a necessity in cities where traffic is a problem. Aside from the plaza, the city should also convert that space behind and beside BAYS Center for pay parking but open a good covered passage from them to the plaza. There are also other spaces in San Juan that can be made pay parking areas. Pay parking will open new business for idle and oftentimes garbage-filed areas close to city’s commercial center. The Office of Building Official can also enforce the law that requires building owners to provide their own parking areas, not necessarily in or near their buildings but at least at some close distance. The problem is with the portion of the parking area in front of the Cathedral which is owned by the Diocese of Bacolod. This is not only the area that belongs to the Diocese. The parking area in Gatuslao across Cuadra Street and another across Police Station I also belongs to the Diocese. Taken together, only half of the parking areas around the plaza belong to the city – the other half to the Diocese. One of the conditions attached to the usufruct when the Diocese of Jaro to which Bacolod once belonged specifies that the area should be used only as a plaza and any economic enterprise on that lot or any construction there must have the written permission of the Diocese of Bacolod, the successor in interest of the Diocese of Jaro. Asking for parking fee on the Diocesan land would violate that condition. Two years ago when the idea of a pay parking area was being thought about (this idea about pay in fact has been bruited around for years) the question of the use of the Diocesan land crop up and this matter was discussed with Bishop Vicente M. Navarra by a few people and Mayor Evelio Leonardia. A draft memorandum of agreement was given to the mayor two years ago and he in turn gave it to the City Legal Officer for study. There was a follow up last year and early this year Councilor Carl Lopez asked for a copy and I told him where he can get one. I think the CLO is still studying, for how long I don’t know but as far as the thinking of the Diocese on this matter is concerned the ball, I wrote last year, is the city’s hands. That was the last I heard of it. Familiaran talked about a possible arrangement for a pay parking on the area on the Diocesan lot. The conditions of the Bishop are in that memo.* MODESTO P. SA-ONOY Visayan Daily Star
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