Texter's observations
Somebody texted us the following intriguing information and questions apparently directed to the our city government officials: 1) Where are the proper accounting procedures for the cash donations received by the city government; 2) The mayor has announced that there were 360 casuals hired to clean up the city, where are these ghost casuals? Only MMDA (men) are working; 3) A lot of barangays in Jaro and Mandurriao still have no potable drinking water, why did the mayor put the giant water purifier in Bo. Obrero; 4) The budget for crisis management in 2006 and 2007 were realigned to the city's sports program; 5) Practically all public bidding of contracts in the Bids and Awards Committee are failed bids and end up negotiated bid where prices become as high as 300%. Anything to say about all these info mayor?
MMDA's observations
TNT columnist Dr. Rodolfo Gumabong in his article yesterday (MMDA flood mercy mission in Iloilo triumphant, page 4) reported that MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando and his men were surprised by the extent of road obstructions existing in the city specifically in Jaro area. The report said during an assessment meeting with the city government officials, MMDA officials gave the following observations/recommendations: 1) plant boxes beside drainage system should not be allowed; 2) illegal structures particularly on sidewalks from Mormon church to CPU should be demolished as these encroach on sidewalk legal basement setback; 3) provision for parking space was made into stores hence customers park their vehicles in streets; 4) stores are located near electrical post and plastic bags are thrown in the esteros and canals thus the clogged drainage system. We challenge our city officials to act on the observations/recommendations of the MMDA. Otherwise, it will boost the public perception that you have no balls!
Homeless evacuees
Many families are still staying in the evacuation centers. They don't have houses to return to because the flood washed them out. What these people need now is money that they could use to buy materials for them to start building their house. Relief packs being distributed to them everyday is not enough, it is only a palliative measure. Maybe the city government could spare these people some amount from the cash donations it received so they could start building their new lives. Apparently, talks about moving them to the city's relocation sites are baloney.