IMMEDIATELY after the elections in May 2019, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas announced the priorities of his administration, which we quote again below:
1. build a hospital for the poor
2. upgrade public markets to level up with malls
3. complete drainage projects
4. build high-rise condominiums as relocation sites for those living in squatter homes or those along river banks and lower areas exposed to flooding
5. build senior citizens and youth centers
He said the program is intended to keep people healthy and well-equipped to earn a living.
After three months in office, what happened so far?
1. As to building a hospital for the poor, we have not heard of any announcement when it will be constructed. Has the city already acquired or found a site for it?
2. We have not yet seen any market reconstruction work to date to level up with the malls, as our City Mayor has described the job, even with the recent incident of the misuse of a portion of the mezzanine quarters at the Iloilo Terminal Market.
3. Some drainage job has been started but not in priority areas where there is flooding. We would like to cite as example the work started on Benedicto Street in Mandurriao district where there is no flooding, instead of in areas in NHA, especially at Block 27 which floods at the slightest rainfall.
4. As to the building of high-rise condominiums, has the city already identified any site for the project? When will it start?
5. It is the same for senior citizens or youth centers; has any location for the project been found or decided upon?
We noted of no personnel specifically assigned to pursue these projects, but what is this we heard that one guy in the city government whose main job looks like to pester regular officials or employees in their positions, including recommending assignments to the dumpsite and giving long leaves of absence with the intention, no doubt, of pestering them to quit even if they are regular employees?
If this pestering guy needs a better assignment, why won’t he ask our City Mayor to work on the various project plans that we need to implement now in the city, several of which has not been started, even if they are urgent like our drainage system and the upgrade of our public markets?
With the political campaign long over, here are two areas, sir, where you can show your mettle.
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GEM OF THOUGHT
“When a rich man gets sick in the head, it is just nervous breakdown; but when poor, he is a lunatic.” (For comments or re-actions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com/PN)
