(Second of two parts)
TO THE political candidates, March brings in another kind of exhilaration! The campaign period starts on March 25 and the sense of competition will be stronger and sharper, if you know what I mean, haha!
Moving forward, let’s continue with the SP Committees that I would like to actively involve myself in:
Cooperatives, Livelihood, People Empowerment and Participation – I am privileged to be a founding member of the SOCSARGEN Electricity Users Consumers Cooperative. I joined the Cooperative because of the credibility and track record of the organizers. They have grown a Cooperative in the university they once served, and they have reaped the rewards of cooperativism. Without sounding too technical about it, “a cooperative is an alternative form for organizing a business by providing good or service at a price that creates an acceptable return to the member-owners.”
With cooperativism, we empower people, make them participate, and take charge of their lives.
Climate Change, Adaptation and Environment – The challenge is staring us in the face and palliative solutions are no longer acceptable. The approach should be wholistic and involves all sectors of society with government, particularly local government unit leaders, committing to champion the environment.
Sister City and Internal Relations – “No man is an island.” General Santos City must build relationships with other cities for key reasons including economic, peace and development, tourism, friendship, and benchmarking. However, these relationships should be sustainable even with the change of leadership.
Tourism, Culture, and the Arts – Growing up in a city and province – Bohol – with its strong cultural identity and gifted with natural attractions, I am privileged to appreciate, understand, and embrace the concept of tourism, culture and the arts, and people’s identity, and apply this in General Santos City with its unique geography, constituencies and residents.
Muslim Affairs – Having lived here since the early nineties has afforded me the chance to observe, understand, and respect the culture of the Muslims, the evolution of peace and development in the city, and the convergence of cultures as the city transforms in the eyes of its constituents and residents. This sector, just like the rest of the sectors, should be given equal attention and care since they are an integral part of the community.
Economic Enterprises – The city must revisit and review its policies on economic enterprises. What does it want to push? What does it want to attain? This should be clear to the city policy makers and legislators and communicated to the constituents and residents.
Urban Poor Affairs – There are diverse groups belonging to this sector. Like I said, those who have less in life should have more in law. But like everything else, balance should be at the heart of governance. While we give attention and care to this sector, we should also make sure to equip and capacitate them so they can improve their lot in life.
Public Utilities – Having served the power industry for twenty years, public utilities is one of my favorite committees. We can launch an all-out campaign to clear our streets and roads from condemned wooden structures, dangling, haphazardly installed, and unkempt electric, telecommunication, and cable TV wires that pose both safety and fire risks on passersby and the communities living near these installations. We will harmonize the installation of structures and other construction works undertaken by our utilities so we can keep a clean city that commits to the principles of good housekeeping.
We must also ensure the delivery of quality, dependable, and affordable electric, telecommunication, and water services.
Public Affairs and Information – As a communications specialist, I strongly advocate and push correct messaging, timely delivery of information, and responsive public service.
Information and its many facets like leadership communication, crisis communication, media relations, external relations, among others, can make or break an effective governance. It is critical that public affairs and information are treated as part and parcel of fundamental government functions.
Gender Equality, Family and Children’s Welfare, and Population Management – I have been a woman and gender advocate since 1999. Over the years, I have written a column in several newspapers churning out articles that use the woman and gender perspectives and champion my advocacies. I know I can still do more given the right office and resources.
Barangay Affairs – The basic institution of governance, Barangays, are empowered and will become more empowered this year. That’s why it is critical that our Barangay leaders and personnel are equipped and capacitated to respond to the latest changes that will happen in 2022 resulting from the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia Petition.
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
