Celebrating our Independence

Tomorrow, June 12, is the 114th anniversary of our independence from  colonial role. This year’s celebration is of special significance as we are in the throes of a brewing conflict with China on the Panatag Shoal.

Yes, there is always a price to be paid by a country in asserting  its sovereignty over its territories. It cannot be overemphasized however, that doing so is not just a right, it is a clear duty of the State, its agents and its citizens. It is good to know that our leaders are exploring peaceful options in attaining harmonious relations with other sovereign states.

Filipinos wish and pray for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing territorial dispute  with China.  We do not want war. But, definitely, we have to protect what is ours, with our honor and dignity intact.

Citizens must likewise  do their share in understanding the issues and in contributing to its just and peaceful solution. Those who are knowledgeable in the legal aspect, specifically  the law professors and students, can already help educate  our people for them to understand what the dispute is all about. Local stakeholders including political authorities should also take extra effort to reach out to the constituents to make them better informed.

If there is one lesson re-learned from the Corona impeachment trial, it is that engaged citizens play a crucial role in decision-making. The prosecution and the defense were aware that the trial was also a battle to win the people’s hearts. Each side had a battery of experts to explain the process and their position.  The public , determined to go through the process, kept an open mind. The social network sites were abuzz with the articulate observations and insights of netizens. As always, media played a key role in exposing alibis and weak arguments from both camps. The voices of the Senator judges in upholding Corona’s conviction, were accepted as  the voice of the people.  Of course, not everyone was pleased. In due time, the wounds will heal. It should.

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Last year’s Independence Day celebration in Cebu was unique and trail-blazing. The day was declared by sustainability advocates as a Day of Independence from Fossil Fuels. The Road Revolution was launched by the principal proponent, our very own Tony Oposa, Jr.

The entire stretch of Osmeña Boulevard was pedestrianized, except for some areas which allowed access to vehicles. Families, young and forever young, bikers, sports enthusiasts and non-human inhabitants, as well,  had the time of their lives feeling so safe, whiffing the uncommon fresh scent of clean air in the city and celebrating the open public space. No polluting gases that bring asthma and other respiratory, heart and skin ailments marred the event. DENR-EMB validated with an unprecedented “Good” quality of air assessment pervading the atmosphere that day. Vehicles, of course, constitute the main source of air pollution here and everywhere. Their absence was not missed at all by the enthusiastic participants.

There were grumblings from the non-participants, as expected. But, the Road Rev fever did not stop that day. It even spread like wildfire in some parts of Luzon. Manila, Baguio and Pasig City habitués  experienced what their Cebuano counterparts did. Hopefully,  the interest will be sustained, with the leadership provided by the local authorities.

Tomorrow, Barangay Lahug under the leadership of Barangay Head Jovito Taborada,Jr.,  the Sannguniang Barangay, CITOM, Road Rev and other stakeholders will undertake a Road  Sharing scheme. The pedestrians ad non-motorized transportation such as bikes, will have their long-overdue space in our roads, as well. Barangay Lahug planned for the event carefully, meeting residents from 48 component sitios the past months.

Savor clean air again tomorrow, June 12,  from 6:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon,  from corner Gorodo Avenue and Escario St. up to corner Salinas Drive and Archbishop Reyes Avenue.

Per advisory of barangay Lahug,  the stretch of above-mentioned  road will be “divided into two sections, the VEHICLE LANE and the GREEN LANE. The vehicle lane (Harolds, UP Cebu main building, Sudlon intersection, Three Sixty Pharmacy, Centcom intersection, IT Park-side of the road) which is to measure about 9 meters wide, will be a two-way traffic for motorized vehicles; while the green lane (opposite side), measuring whatever remains of the road, will be for pedestrians and bicycles. This same green lane will also serve as the EMERGENCY LANE.

There will be a strict implementation of LOADING and UNLOADING of passengers at specified areas. Commuters will walk to the nearest loading and unloading area and wait in line for their turn to take a ride. All loading and unloading places will be manned and will properly be identified with markers.

No motorized vehicle shall be allowed to stop anywhere it pleases. It will also be a strictly NO PARKING and NO WAITING on either side of the road stretch.”

In addition, Junior Chamber International- Zugbuana, an all-female socio-civic organization dedicated to the development of business and civic leaders, will also launch on the same day its laudable project called Project Green with the theme “HAGIT SA KATILINGBAN:PAGTANOM SA CIUDAD ALANG SA KINAIYAHAN, SA KALAMBOAN UG SA KATAWHAN”. It aims to teach environmental and eco-friendly living solutions starting with an urban gardening program. Sitio San Roque of Barangay Lahug was chosen as the pilot community to undergo the urban gardening program.

Apart from the Lahug Road Sharing experiment, where Tony Oposa and delegates from Puerto Princesa will be present, there is also a Grand Civic Military Parade organized by the Cebu City Government led by Mayor Mike Rama.

Have fun and celebrate Independence Day, with a lower carbon footprint!