Outlived by monuments

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big.

In fact, it’s a necessary exercise if you realize that the 2.5 million urban population of Metro Cebu will double by 2050.

The Mega Cebu Candidates Forum which opened last Wednesday showed sparks of that kind of vision when mayoral candidates of Cebu’s 1st district outlined their plans.

It’s no surprise that Rep. Eduardo Gullas stood out with his wish list of specific big ticket projects – a Light Railway Transit (LRT) system, the Cebu South Road expansion, a third Cebu-Mactan “connection”, and a Talisay economic zone.

He’s been advocating an LRT, south highway and third Mactan link — either a bridge or an undersea tunnel — for several years and clearly aims to leave legacy projects that do justice to his over 40 years experience in national and local governance, as Cebu governor, congressman and Talisay mayor.

The reality is that Eddiegul will be outlived by these projects, if they materialize.

“Samsam will have to continue this,” he said, referring to his 27-year-old grandson, who is running for his soon-to-be-vacated congressional seat.

It was unfortunate that the neophyte heir apparent chose not to attend the forum.

He forfeited the chance to give the public a clear idea of what’s running through his mind about the awesome challenge of representing the biggest district of Cebu with the largest component city which is Talisay.

Sayang. Some would say the opportunity to explain his platform proved too daunting for an eager, but untried aspirant.

Since the young bachelor is running unopposed, and can inherit the congressional post with only one vote cast in the May election, his declining the invitation to stand on the same stage as his grandfather to articulate his own dreams for Talisay and Metro Cebu was a lost opportunity to assure that his youth is an advantage, not a question mark, when we talk of passing on the baton.

Another monument that will outlive Rep. Eddie Gullas – if it is allowed to survive – is the leafy century-old acacia trees that line parts of the Cebu South Road.

The first question in the Open Forum came by Twitter: What will happene to the trees along the highway? Several have already by cut down.There was not enough time in the forum to examine promises to preserve them.

Gullas said he values the aged trees. Reelectionist Carcar Mayor Nicepuro Apura vowed to do “everything in my power” to keep them alive. These trees have already been painted by the number, ready for inventory and removal, the same highway Apura earlier thanked Congressman Gullas for widening in order to bring progress to the south.

The green canopy along barangay Perrelos, Carcar is one of the most beautiful nature landmarks that signal to motorists that they have reached the bend in the road that brings them to the heartland of south Cebu.

“I will not have a single tree cut,” said Apura, who smoothly qualified that his effort will extend only as far as his authority as mayor.

Can candidates be held to their promises?

Their choice of which monuments to leave behind is the test of their sincerity.