A FEW months ago, I had a coffee chat with some friends – a sportsman, a publicist and a retired politician. We have not seen one another for a long time so it was enjoyable get-together.
***
“For so long, the government has never resolved the energy problem. There remains power outage. The local community, including the business sector, suffers,” said the publicist.
“Could it be that those heading the concerned government agencies do not have deep knowledge on energy?” he asked.
***
“Even the city mayor of Iloilo is irritated. He is very concerned that power outages could lead to an economic slowdown. Investors would think twice doing business in the city,” the sportsman said.
“Looks like too much of the country’s resources are being handled by politicians than putting these liquid resources into energy rehabilitation,” the retire politician seemed convinced.
***
“On another subject, the traffic headache that the Ungka flyover is giving to motorists has not yet been given serious solution. Possible thing in mind is a rehab or repair of that flying bridge costing the government maybe half of the flyover’s original cost,” said the retired politician.
“But don’t you think the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) local people should be given a reprimand for not monitoring the works of the contractor?” he continued.
***
“DPWH is not capable of professional traffic management; so please do not let them plan the road traffic out there at the Ungka flyover area. The mayors are more qualified to do the job,” the retiree expressed.
“Let us wait how DPWH will carry out a multi-million peso rehabilitation,” the publicist concluded the topic.
***
“On tourism, the stakeholders are grinning. It’s the start of revenge tourism. No doubt Boracay Island is still the Numero Uno favorite of our fellow Pinoys,” the publicist declared.
“And there is also Antique province that is proud of its beaches and smaller more serene resorts. Guimaras Island is another spot,” the sportsman told the group after finishing his favorite Ensaymada.
***
This writer greets friends and readers – Rosalie S. Treñas, Francis Chu, Jocelyn Yoshida, Mary Ann Matiling, Sangguniang Bayan Pyt Trimañez of Pavia, Matin Arandez, Richard Oquendo, Mimir Guanco , and Ana Liza Lacson./PN
