ILIGAN City ― “People talking without speaking/ People hearing without listening…” These are some lyrics of a song about the ‘Sound of Silence’ which I remember now upon hearing of the current development of this so-called ‘world-class’ market. Which I found out isn’t anything but ‘world-class’ after all.
It might as well be called "low class.". Or "no class" . Or "alaws class" in street lingo.
And there are lots of sounds connected with it, among them, sounds connected with silence. As in "deafening silence." So is there such a thing? Because as I know it, it is not silence that makes one deaf. It is "sound". Which in other words, means noise.
Yet this one is another --how shall I say it, "silent noise?"
For example this P592 million market at Palao this city is now on its 8th extension as to the completion date.
Recently, city administrator Dr. Darwin Manubag said that BM Marketing had asked for a 7th extension. The city, under mayor Frederick W. Siao was silent about it. Because it was still studying the matter. Even if it was now inclined to terminate said contractor. Because of its "slowness." And "slowness" is just one of the reasons. There are others, like using "sub-standard materials." Or not hiring "experts" to do some particular aspects of the project.
Yet the contractor understood the silence as "yes." Because, didn't they say that "silence means yes?" So it proceeded to ask for another extension, the 8th. And maybe, after that, the 9th and 10th, and 11th, etc., etc.
Well, but this time, the city stopped its silence on the matter. And demanded some "position paper" from the company. Which, it complied, with by submitting it on Feb. 2.
The city then is in "study mode" on such matters. And when one is in such mode, you are silent. Because how can one study when one becomes noisy?
It was then learned, among other things that this particular contractor was also the contractor for the elevator of the building at the Sangguniang Panlungsod at Buhanginan Hills, this city. And it was reported that said elevator just conked out. Well, it was then "corrected." But still, those who use it, reports say avoid using it. For the said elevator shakes. They are then afraid that in the course of riding on it, it might not only shake but rattle and roll. Like the title of some movie that is made in this country.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod though was not entirely silent on the matter. Recently, it had made some investigations on the matter because of. particularly the delay on said project. because it should have been finished within 540 days. But with such additional days of extension of over 300 days making it almost a thousand days now, and with the vendors that are slated to occupy it are already restless.. So, can one remain silent for long?
Yet, the contractor, Edgar Tiu didn't attend it. The reason? He couldn't travel to this city because he's "unvaccinated."
But now, per the mayor's pronouncement, BM Marketing has "requested" that they talk this over "in Manila.". People here are then asking: Why, if he's unvaccinated and can't travel to this city, why can he travel to Manila?
Of course, the good mayor doesn't favor that kind of scenario. Talk about it somewhere and not in this city.
It might be noted that this particular contractor comes from somewhere. And that "somewhere" is in Tacloban. City. This project, to note too, was initiated by the past administration under city mayor Celso G. Regencia. And its mantra was then, "there's no loan on this one."
The recommendation of the Project Implementation Unit of the city is that because of such reasons, the contractor on this one, "should be terminated." With all the penalties for its "sins" slapped.
Yet as of now, there's still that sound of silence on the matter. Maybe, this city is still in the "thinking it over mode." So it is still sounding its "silence."
Someone must stop this sound of silence. Because one can't just be silent for long. Now, will someone stop this sound of silence?
I think I will begin now by saying it loud: "Ek!" and more "ek". As in :"ek ek ek ek!"
Email: nora.lady@yahoo.com or contact 09277983167 or 09073384874
