I-CAST what?
We could not blame Mayor Jerry Treñas for blowing his top when Kagawad Jam Baronda said that her anti-smoking task force could not effectively do their job because the city's chief executive is the number one violator of the anti-smoking ordinance. Treñas is right, Kagawad Baronda should better give up the post as chair of the task force if she can't do her job rather than putting the blame on him. The truth is, I-CAST (Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force) chaired by Kagawad Baronda has ceased to perform since it was launched several years ago. Pila lang ka bulan ang pakitang-gilas sang task force. Everybody will agree that smoking in public places and public conveyances has become unabated. The sad part is that the city allocates more than P300,000 as budget for the task force every year. Kon diin gakadto ang kwarta amo na ang wala ta mabal-an. The mayor is right, it's better to abolish the task force if it no longer serves its purpose.
'Chief law enforcer'
Gov Niel Tupas's justification for his vehicle's having “wang-wang” (siren) is that he is the “chief law enforcer” in the province. Unfortunately, being “chief law enforcer” does not exempt the governor from the law prohibiting the unofficial use of “wang-wang.” It is clearly specified in the law that those who could use the “wang-wang” are only the vehicles of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, police, ambulance and other emergency vehicles. The governor's vehicle is not included in the list. Besides, if the governor says that he is “chief law enforcer” he should also serve as a role model. Look at his convoy of vehicles, all of them don't carry the regular plate numbers but only the name “Governor”. Apparently, the governor ignores the call of the Ombudsman regarding the use of plate numbers. The governor should understand that no one is above the law.
Job fairs
Today's celebration of the 111th Independence Day will be highlighted by various job fairs all over the country. We just hope that many job applicants will be hired. Basi bala kon asta lang ni sa submission sang application forms.