Ben Contreras
CEDRICK Sabio was one among those who volunteered to rid our highway of stranded vehicles and debris brought by the floodwaters. Whatever else he did during the last floods, only He knows.
On Saturday afternoon, he called me up and said he’s been going around the city to check the situation and lamented how the city government, after almost two weeks, seems to have done nothing like cleaning up the waterways, moving the informal settlers and their structures away from our esteros, etc. He also lamented the seemingly complacent citizenry who have not been doing anything about our government’s failures in many aspects.
Typhoon Sendong saw the birth of advocacy groups like Bangon Kagayan and Save CDO Now Movement and their integration into the latecomer Sulog-One Sendong is Enough, making lots of noise until the downfall of the previous mayor. Where are these people now?
Sabio is urging citizens to bring their voice to the city government and if possible, volunteer to work hand in hand with local governments in any undertaking that would mitigate the effects of flooding.
The time to act is now. All available trucks and equipment, all able bodied citizens... if we need to do it 24/7, let’s do it. Finger-pointing cannot solve anything.
Will Mayor Oscar Moreno take the lead?
•
As I write this, it’s a beautiful morning; the sun is up, a kind of day CDO needs. If this is a sign of rainless days ahead, I hope we all see beehive of activities to do something to mitigate the impact of floodings in the city.
To help in the cleaning up of our surroundings is just a band aid solution. But to discipline ourselves to adhere to our anti-littering law and learn to segregate and dispose garbage properly can go a long, long way to attain a more livable community.
I wish a group of volunteers will be organized to do some serious cleaning with or without the help of the city government.
I hereby signify my willingness to join in this activity. Is there any out there?
•
“Bato,” as people love to call our PNP Chief, seems to be in trouble because of the acts of some scalawags in the police.
We saw how the campaign against drugs is being relentlessly executed by our police to the point that they are being accused of engaging in extrajudicial killings. The accusation may not necessarily be accurate. Still, public opinion is stock against his leadership. Bato needs to do something than just arresting and killing criminals in the drug trade. It’s about time to go harsh on scalawags in uniform.
To our policemen, military men, government agents: you who might be involved in drugs or have become protectors. Please think of your families and the country you serve. Nothing lasts forever. If you are into it, there will always be a time for come-uppance, a day of reckoning. It’s going to be shameful and painful for you and your families. Do not believe that your position, your weapons and connection can protect you forever. Before you know it, everybody would try to save himself by betraying others. That’s the reality of a sad ending.
Bato’s lack of resolve would be seen as his weakness and his being unworthy of his position.
