Unkempt city

EIGHT years into his political career and yet my adoptive city is still unkempt. The streets wide but cluttered. The trees are cut and replaced with concrete and more concrete. The island plants are poorly maintained. The sidewalks disorderly. Distribution lines, cable wires, and similar devices are hanging in total disarray adding to the ugliness and disorderliness. Condemned posts are still standing contributing to the eyesore. The absence of aesthetic is palpable.

One wonders where the female executives of the city are. Or the tourism council which could have spearheaded the drive.

But, hey, I’m just a frustrated onlooker so what can I do? Well, I can wish – yes, wish – that the city will elevate itself to a standard just like that of Iloilo City. If you need a benchmark, Iloilo City it is!

Perhaps the next leadership? Perhaps not. Especially if the city’s visual appeal is not one of the priorities. But seriously, how much does it cost to implement what I have just mentioned? Clearing of spaghetti wires and condemned posts only needs an imprimatur and strict compliance directed at the electric cooperative, telecommunication companies, and cable TV providers. How much does it cost to maintain our streets and island plants? How much does it cost to remove the unsightly clutter?

These are not major projects. So, don’t use the lame excuse that it requires budget. Surely one can use his or her creativity to implement such project. It doesn’t take a genius to be creative.

One wonders if these leaders do not look around and see how unkempt the city is. Is this the only level of visual appreciation we set for this supposedly competitive city? That’s it?

It’s a stinging slap on the face. We try our best to look good outwardly as leaders but our city – General Santos, that is, is unkempt, ugly, and can’t even compete with smaller cities and municipalities. What a shame!

There. I have spoken it.

Moving forward. People are talking in small circles about possible mayoralty candidates in 2022. Politics, politics! The favorite topic of Filipinos.

They’re saying it’s a showdown between two women. Well, first, if a woman wins, this time, will General Santos City’s visual appeal improve from its crappy look? 

I wish upon a star it will.

So, they are saying the woman with higher credentials (Candidate A) will win hands down. However, the voice of reason says, the other candidate (Candidate B) has command of the masses.

This was immediately refuted by another participant by asserting that Candidate A commands the masses as well, duly proven by her consistent electoral victories.

Well, whatever the result of this discussion will not affect the result of the elections. Because after all, as my father, the late lawyer and Bohol provincial board member Isabelo “Jun” M. Sales once said, “Popularity should be translated into votes”. Thus, we wait and see.

But I wonder. How will the voters of General Santos City respond to 2 women candidates? Should your decision be based on the following: 1) qualifications; 2) education; 3) track record; 4) personality; 5) finesse; and 6) more finesse?

If qualification, education, personality, and finesse, perhaps Candidate A has the upper hand. Maybe on track record which should be fairly based on their respective areas of influence and responsibility, both are competitive.

However, on ‘more finesse’, your guess is as good as mine.

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Over the weekend, I had a productive and satisfying meeting with 2 pretty and brainy personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-General Santos City. Liezel Anne Decrepito, Administrative Officer IV, Johnna Mae Gomez, Administrative Officer I, and I discussed about crafting a Training Plan for management and personnel that will address the need for professional growth.

As a professional coming from the power industry which provided me with substantial and sustainable trainings, I can vouch that trainings will genuinely equip, capacitate, and upgrade a person professionally and even personally.

DFA-General Santos City is headed by our ‘once upon a time’ neighbor, the pretty and bright Helen Grace A. Tabora. Thank you, Gracie, for the trust and confidence.

The DFA office is located inside Robinson’s Mall, General Santos City. They are open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN