San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Councilor Virgilio “Billy” Zoilo delivered a privilege speech expressing alarm over rising incidents of theft and robbery in the municipality. He is calling the PNP officials of the town to submit any progress report of investigation concerning the issue in order that the council can lay down measures to assist the law enforcers in arresting those responsible and eventually licked the crime spread. San Francisco has been a booming town and has been the home of some businesses among them food giant Jollibee (oi, may Jollibee na pala sa San Franz!) and the town councilor feared that with the rising incidents of theft and robbery, investors might relocate their businesses in other areas where the peace and order situation is better. Mayor Carl Lademora immediately convened an emergency meeting of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MOPC).
According to the PNP, a syndicate is behind the string of robberies which is based in Barobo, Surigao del Sur (hala ka). These groups were part of big syndicate in Manila which formed their own local group to engage in the said activity (oi, that’s what you call “transfer of technology”).
Im thinking, if investors would run away from San Franz, where would they go to? Almost everywhere, the problem of theft and robbery is widespread due to poverty and drug addiction. “You can run but you can’t hide.”
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Looks like the authorities have a difficult time licking the problem of petty crimes like theft and robbery. Aside that these criminals are slippery some are even bribing members of the police force. I am not referring to a particular locality but in general. There are police scalawags out there who instead of protecting the interest of the citizenry are protecting the criminals. Now as the crime rate rises and the inability of the police to curb it is evident, what comes next? You are right! Summary executions. People so fed up of criminality would turn to instant justice. That’s why its not uncommon in some parts of Mindanao, that dead bodies just turn up in the streets. The question is, would this violent trend here to stay? Only when the people’s faith in law enforcement will be restored, that “salvaging” will cease to become the preferred mode of dispensing justice.
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Hanjin Heavy Industries got into the headlines last week not because that it is launching another multi million investment but in figuring in industrial accident in its shipyard in Subic. A week ago, Cagayan de Oro officials and media sing high praises to Hanjin for investing in another shipyard in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental which according to the sources would employ 45,000 workers. Now that’s a great figure which will solve the unemployment problem in Northern Mindanao. Then came the Subic accident that cost the lives of two workers and the serious injury of scores of them. Now, safety concerns are raised against Hanjin Heavy Industries. There is this unsafe working conditions in its shipyard which make it an accident waiting to happen. Then, there’s this allegation of inhuman treatment of workers according to the victims. People are treated roughly by supervisors, subjecting to regular verbal abuse which caused their humiliation. Is this the kind of company that MisOr officials would be proud to offer to its constituents? It seems Misamisnon workers for Hanjin is in for a rough time. But since there is no other alternative, then they just have to bite the bullet.
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An article in the PIA website mentioned the sub standard state of vessels plying the Balingoan-Camiguin route. The article mentioned about unsanitary vessel conditions, lack of safety devices and unprofessional crew. The Balingoan(Misamis Oriental) – Camiguin have experienced increased tourist traffic due to good publicity as a tourist destination, especially during summer vacation when many opted to visit Camiguin for leisure and to attend town fiestas. Indeed its now time to improve the service and at least professionalize the crew. Looks like this important thing about boat safety and able crew is being overlooked as the ferry service business is just being considered as routine. Iba na ang handa, mga boys.
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The Department of Agrarian Reform is still on the business of launching ARC or Agrarian Reform Communities even if it’s on the verge of being disbanded. Speaking of ARC’s, these are group of communities whose inhabitants are mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries. These communities are banded together and this is where the different agrarian support services are channeled to. These ARC launching business, however, is one area of CARP which is prone to abuse. Not a few of those ARCs were launched at the behest of local politicians to avail of the projects offered by DAR even though there is no significant number of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the area. This is another reason for the non extension of CARP.
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Speaking of CARP extension, I don’t understand why DAR seems to be hesitant in granting the demands of the Sumilao farmers. Ironically, these Sumilao farmers are batting for CARP’s extension. DAR officials should realize that the Sumilao case is a make or break for them. If they botch this, then it will have a negative impact on their quest for extension. If they play this well, they could gain a good reason for their existence and eventually extension as they will be viewed as true to their mandate of helping the farmers. They should realize this.
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The Civil Service Commission made a statement that “Palakasan” system is widespread in the government. According to CSC Chair Karina Constantino David, with the passage of the Career Executive Service Bill, it will limit the President’s to appoint officials especially those which are not qualified for the position.
“The present law allows the president to appoint officials to the bureaucracy, even if he or she is not career-service eligible. While it is not entirely the president’s fault, the situation allows people near him or her to whisper their recommendations. So the bata-bata system thrives. Kaya ang suspicion, may palakasan. Huwag mo apakan ang powerful na tao. Natatakot ang career officials gawin ang trabaho kung may nahuli kang malakas pala, patay ang career mo,” she added.
“It is bad enough that national, regional and local officials are by and large elected not really by reason of competence but by popularity cum money. It becomes even worse when those thus elected into public offices as public trusts, exercise their authority to appoint individuals to administrative entities—definitely not by reason of integrity and competence—usually on account of transactional politics, beneficial arrangements, partisan affiliation if not due to blood and/or affinity relationships and similar factors of convenience.
“No wonder that as the farmers cry for justice and as the drivers cry for the high price of fuel, as the OFWs lament the poor exchange of their hard earned dollars and as the general public complain about the weak buying power of the peso, their reigning leader with family and friends and appointees and loyal followers are traveling in style, in comfort, in a chartered plane. Guess, who pay?”
