We the People are to be Blamed!
From the very start of the State of the City Address of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, one could see a pattern clearly unfolding that in many ways, he was trying really hard to imitate what President Aquino tried to do during his State of the Nation Address last June, 2011. Mayor Leonardia was speaking over the heads of his audience and did a poor job in imitating President Aquino. While discussing his imagined successes, he would pause for a moment and introduce distinguished personalities in the audience. What came to our mind right away was that he was probably beclouding his claims of accomplishment, he would distract his audience with his side comments. He discussed the successes of the call centers and other I.T. programs, when in truth and in fact - the credit should have been given to former City Councilor Atty. Jocelle Batapa. It is a matter of record that he was even absent when the first call center in Bacolod City was opened! Atty. Batapa, if he had been honest enough, should have been extolled to the high heavens for the monumental success of the call centers in Bacolod City. One of the more important items which he failed to present to the people of this city was what he had done and intends to do until the end of his term was how he would deal with the horrendous garbage problems which have been the main cause of flooding in many areas in the city. Also, the deplorable state of our "corrugated city streets." More so, on the problems of the Persons with Disabilities and how to fund projects for this sector which has made very obvious the fact that the city coffers must be empty. This has been evidenced by the lack of any office for the sector which is mandated in a national law! He should inform the people and be transparent enough to explain why ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF THE BILLION PESO BUDGET has yet to be allocated for this sector. Where are the funds? Could Mayor Leonardia or even Councilor Em L. Ang reveal to the people where the funds have flown? Her father, the late VERY HONORABLE CONSTANCIO LEGASPI must be now turning over in his grave with the manner that Councilor is discharging her duties and responsibilities as the Chairperson of the PWDs! Why did Mayor Leonardia not inform the people of this city on the reasons behind the fact that the salaries and wages IS ALWAYS DELAYED! In fact, he should have mentioned as to how many casuals and job order employees are now employed by the city! Is the city overstaffed? It would be nice if Mayor Leonardia can be transparent on this issue. After all, was he not given an award by the DILG for good planning, for accountability and transparency? Is this a sign of good governance? We have a copy of the resolution of Councilor "El Cid" Familiarian who presented a resolution before the City Council recommending that the Masskara Festival should present an accounting of all the festival expenses for several years now. The sad part of this resolution is that it was "SHOT DOWN" by the majority of the Councilors! Again, the so-called TYRANNY OF NUMBERS in the City Council has shown its strength in not approving the resolution of Councilor Familiaran. Is accounting for the funds of the Masskara a MILITARY SECRET? It really pays to be a bosom friend of the DILG Secretary Jess M. Robredo! He talked about the "building boom of Bacolod City" where the credit for this accomplishment should have been given to the business sector of Bacolod City! The title of this column is, "WE, THE PEOPLE ARE TO BE BLAMED" for what is now going in this city as the businessman and the private sector seem to be afraid to castigate the administration of Mayor Leonardia. This gives credence to the talks in this city that Mayor Leonardia is vindictive and has sown fear and apprehension among many of our citizenry so that they are now afraid to criticize the present dispensation for all its failings which has been evident in the unfavorable COA Audit reports that have questioned many of the expenditures of the funds in the city coffers! Some businessmen that we have talked with even claim that those that have made the mistake of criticizing the present administration have had visits from buildings inspectors, health inspectors and even audits by the licensing office and many more offices. If this is true, then Mayor Leonardia must have adopted the principle of "SOMOS OR NO SOMOS"! They even say that in order to get a business permit, after finding fault with the goings on in the City, the applicant would "have to pass through the eye of a needle"! Our unsolicited advice to Mayor Leonardia is to develop his own style in delivering his SOCA and not to make a poor imitation of President Aquino! Our contention is that whatever is being allowed to happen or not happen in this city is that WE THE PEOPLE ARE TO BLAME FOR NOT HAVING THE COURAGE TO SPEAK OUT!* William H.O. Streegan Negros Daily Bulletin
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