Lately I have been elated with the pronouncements of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) about its action again illegal campaign materials.
In past elections the Comelec was seen as a toothless government agency. But today it is trying its very best to strictly enforce laws, warning candidates to follow rules on sizes and posting requirements mandated by Congress.
In Metro Manila, the Comelec has sent notices to offending candidates warning them to remove their illegal posters or else face disqualification cases. In Cebu we haven’t seen the Comelec send out letters yet though we’ve heard election officials issue verbal warnings. If the Comelec wants the public to take them seriously, they should file disqualification cases. The commission has to show the public that it can deliver clean, orderly and honest elections especially with the precinct count optical scan machines.
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Candidates should also present themselves and their platforms of government so the public can weigh them carefully in order to vote wisely. The Mega Cebu Candidates Fora which starts tomorrow is one avenue for local candidates to share their vision of growth for Cebu.
The Mega Cebu program was initiated by the private sector after realizing that it would take too long to wait for government to set up the coordinating mechanism for local government units in Metro Cebu. This is an offshoot of the experience in Metro Manila whose urban development wasn’t well planned. That’s why despite seeing so many flyovers there, traffic congestion has just become worse.
The importance of a comprehensive master plan to be in place to ensure Cebu develops as a livable place, not a congested metropolis like Metro Manila, is apparent.
If we don’t want the bitter experience of Metro Manila, we have to learn its lessons quickly and come up with a comprehensive coordinating body to plan things for Metro Cebu.
Gone are the days where congressmen would implement projects without planning and consulting the local government in cities and towns. Without coordination, some infrastructure projects are out of tune or misplaced because they are the wrong solutions and create another problem.
Recently with the vigilance of civil society that is demanding a master plan the practice has been opposed and is being corrected by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The department today has become sensitive to public sentiments.
Today the administration of President Benigno Aquino III gives premium to the voice of the people especially in carryng out infrastructure projects. These have to observe the requirements of good governance in the local units.
Cebu is leading the way and is being seriously taken by the DPWH. That is the reason Team PNoy enjoys the trust and support of the people—the Daang Matuwid.
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I am hoping that the the present Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) leadership would seriously look into issuing franchises to tourist buses, coasters and vehicles and some Cebu car rentals services providing for tourism needs of Central Visayas.
The moratorium on franchises is not helping these companies meet the demand in the tourism sector. Apparently the government agency tasked to help these companies is making it very difficult for these companies to survive.
Attention, DOTC, it is about time you review the moratorium because it has restrained growth in the tourism sector and has encouraged corruption in the government.