THERE’S so much brickbat going on in my adoptive General Santos City since Executive Order No. 42 (Series of 2020) was signed. First off, the length (based on what I read on social media comments) is characterized by verbosity; the content purportedly lacks clarity; and then the alleged lack of technical infrastructure for an announced registration system.
First, on the length. Perhaps the writers could have edited it thoroughly to arrive at a shorter version. They can always tap an editor to help.
Second, on the alleged lack of clarity. I saw what I was looking for. So that’s good enough for me. I think it really depends on what one is looking for in a document.
Third, on the technical infrastructure. Well, I read several harsh comments even one coming from a local legislator uttering in dismay the unavailability of the website! Too bad. The message we are sending is fraught with incompetence if what we are announcing could not be accessed.
And now, the chaos, the bottlenecks at checkpoints because of the stringent entry policy resulting from the executive order.
In a message following the implementation of the highly criticized executive order, General Santos City local chief executive Ronnel Rivera bared that local transmission is already happening in the city. Several localized lockdowns have been imposed and even the General Santos City Fish Port Complex is on lockdown starting September 2-5, 2020 to pave the way for massive contact tracing and the subsequent implementation of measures that will ensure the safety, security, and protection of the premises, the fishers, fish workers, stakeholders, clients, and visitors from COVID-19 upon its reopening.
Meanwhile, the lockdown of the Fish Port is unprecedented since this is the first time ever in its operational life that it will shut down. It will be recalled that the General Santos City Fish Port began operations in 1997.
An FB post by Rosanna Bernadette Contreras, executive director of the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. revealed: “with this lockdown, about 4,078 laborers, an estimated 25,000 fishers, and another 100,000 more in secondary activities are about to lose income”. “An estimated Php 419-M in revenues in a week from capture fishery at the very least, will be lost in economic circulation”, she further explained.
Back to Rivera. He underscored that it’s difficult for the local government unit (LGU) to manage these challenges without the help of the populace, thus the appeal for understanding, cooperation, and compliance with the strict control measures imposed by the LGU.
Rivera highlighted the entry of people to General Santos City which is strictly controlled. The huge number of motor vehicles desiring to enter the city has chocked the checkpoints causing among others, massive traffic jams; flaring tempers; unsavory comments; and sharp criticism directed at the LGU.
The chief city executive explained further that should anyone not fall under the exemptions of Section 2 (EO 42), it is advised not to push your way in (the checkpoints securing the borders).
Now, my take. Why are we fighting the local government unit? Border lockdown began at midnight of August 27, 2020 until midnight of Sept. 13, 2020. There are exemptions, naturally. But I am wondering why we can’t give the city government our cooperation and compliance when during the ECQ in March, we stayed put!
So, for crying out loud, why can’t we just stay put for a while to support our city? The brickbats could suck our life energy. We don’t need that for now. All we need is a good dose of positive energy during these negative-laden times.
Look around you. Check other cities and provinces. Their situation is far worse than ours. We are too blessed to be arrogant and high and mighty.
Oh yes, I have my own criticism but when it’s for the welfare of the city and its constituents, I have no issue.
It’s time we set our differences aside when the greater good is the target. Following the effectivity of the stringent rules and we have complied, let’s go back to bickering again.
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Writer can be reached at belca.87@gmail.com. Twitter@ShilohRuthie./PN
