Draft the master plan
Now that the construction of the flyovers has been suspended until all the stakeholders are consulted I think the oppositors and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama can use the time to make a master plan to rationalize development plans for the locality.
The problem with the flyover projects is that these were crafted and implemented without consulting the stakeholders. That is contrary to what the Local Government Code stipulates and goes against the principle of good governance specifically on participatory democracy. Ironically, President Benigno Aquino III has emphasized time and again the people are his boss.
In the case of the flyovers, consultation was done only when the project was about to be implemented and the proponents refused to listen to the expert opinions of the oppositors.
The suspension of the flyover projects will be good for the city and the urban planners. We can draw up a master plan that is a product of consultation and not just a few interested politicians. I think our experts should take a direct hand in crafting the plan. Let us not allow certain politicians to take part because they have nothing to contribute but ideas based on their own personal interests.
* * *
Just recently a spectacular thing happened in Libya where Moammar Gadhafi, strongman for four decades was captured and killed by rebels. They thus liberated the people of Libya from dictatorship.
Nobody thought that the dictator for 40 years would eventually fall and Libya liberated. The capture and death of the strongman came in unbelievably swiftly considering that Gadhafi was still fighting the revolution in Libya.
Today the greatest challenge of Libya and its people is how to return to a normal life and to establish a democratic system of government.
First things first, the fall of Ghaddafi is expected to bring down the prices of gasoline. That is very good for the world market as many of us are suffering from the spiraling prices of oil.
Second, peace is expected to reign in the Middle East after revolutions ousted some of its political leaders. The most difficult challenge for Libya is how to install a democratically elected government and a democratic way of life for Libyans.
The duly recognized government in Libya should ask the rebels to surrender their firearms and the people of Libya should start rebuilding the country with the help of some foreign ones like the United States. The economy should get in shape and work democratically for the sake of progress and development.
Good luck to the people of Libya.
* * *
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front wrought damage to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, killing about 19 soldiers and another seven whom they ambushed.
Former president Joseph Estrada and Sen. Panfilo Lacson egged the government to go on an all-out war against the MILF because of their treachery. They asked President Aquino to suspend the cease-fire with the MILF and pursue them until they will be wiped off from the face of the planet.
Erap made the startling revelation that the MILF is being supported by the American government as seen in former US ambassador Kristie Kenney who spent most of her time in Mindanao. He pointed out that Kenney was one of the witnesses who was to sign an agreement with the government to establish the Bangsamoro substate.
But I firmly believe that an all-out war against our Muslim brother will not help solve the problem in Mindanao. There must be an overhaul of the way the national government is treating and handling Mindanao people and development. It should stop treating Mindanao like a kingdom for politicians. The people of Mindanao are free like and equal to every other Filipino and rightfully deserve better treatment.
