Change of mind
Five governors of Western Visayas led by Regional Development Council chair Gov. Sally Perez of Antique reportedly asked Pres. Arroyo to revoke the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR to the proposed coal-fired power plant in Lapaz, Iloilo City. In opposing the project Perez and the other four governors claim the coal plant would put to risk the health and lives not only of residents of Iloilo City but also of thousands of students, workers, employees who reside in Iloilo City coming from the provinces of Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Capiz and Aklan. It's their stand, no problem with that... but what is boggling is that in 2003 Gov. Perez wholeheartedly accepted the supposed entry of Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco) coal-fired power plant in her province after it was thrown out of Iloilo. In fact, the governor representing the province of Antique entered into a memorandum of agreement with Kepco officials that year. Said MOA signing was even boasted by Pres. Arroyo in one of her speaking engagements here in Iloilo in the same year. What made Gov. Sally change her mind about coal-fired power plant is puzzling.
Dying river?
Other papers reported in previous weeks about the dying state of the Iloilo River. Actually, there's nothing new to it--Iloilo River has been dead years back. The wanton encroachment by business establishments and the unsanitary practices of people living along the riverbank primarily caused the death of the Iloilo River. The out-of-the-blue clean up operations being conducted by certain groups could not even suffice to really revive the Iloilo River.
Unending traffic problem
There seems no end to the traffic experimentations being conducted in Iloilo City. Despite that the city's traffic problem remains unsolved. Maybe it's time for our city officials especially Mayor Treñas to hire expert traffic engineers to conduct an in-depth study on how to solve the city's traffic problem. Leaving the solving of traffic woes to policemen and politicians would only complicate the problem. What do you think Mitch?