‘Bluer’ than Blue

Punto Central Luzon

Hard to get
By Joey Aguilar

‘Bluer’ than Blue

ANGELES CITY – Promises of reforms, significant developments and changes seem to hound the Nepomuceno administration.

For weeks now, I didn’t have the chance to visit the city hall to gather some news. But recently, I attended a birthday party to see my friends who have worked for the city government for almost 18 years (casual and permanent employees), which for me a proof that they have been apolitical in performing their duties. Otherwise, they probably have lost their jobs now.

Atin napu bang pamagbayu king kasalukuyang administrasyon (are there any changes on the present administration)? It was a question that I prefer instead of “nanung balita (what’s the news)?” which I consider a stupid question for a journalist to ask since we, as newsmen, are expected to know the news of the day.

“Alang malalyari keni brod (nothing is happening here brother)” was the first reaction I got from the group. At first, I refuse to believe them since their arguments may have been a result of “unreturned favors” from Mayor Blueboy or his allies, or probably it was just a their own personal experience inside the city hall without looking at the macro level, and without any solid basis.

However, validations on their claims could be done on simple observations and common sense. An ordinary resident here could tell what’s been going on in the last eight months after the local elections.

Well, to cite a few, first, the parents of Kimiko Dizon, including officials of Chevalier School, have valid reasons to blame the city government for their daughter’s untimely demise. The open canal, where the little child sucked into caused by rampaging waters, has no structures (or barriers) which could have prevented the tragedy;

Second, the Angeles City AIDS Council has “achieved nothing” to implement salient provisions of the AIDS prevention ordinance despite having a yearly budget not less than P2 million. It is saddening to note that the present administration do not realize that international funding agencies like the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) spent millions of pesos for various studies, focus group discussions, research and seminars before city councilors signed it into law. Its HIV/AIDS prevention policies were focused on educating the public, especially the high-risk groups, on how to effectively avoid acquiring the disease and other sexually transmitted infections.

Third, open dumpsites could be seen, and have been operating again, in other barangays here and local officials have yet to act on it.

Fourth, the city tourism office, which has at least 25 workers, seems to be one of the most dysfunctional offices in the city hall aside from the Human Resources Management Office. For them, tourism only means three things: battle of the bands, poster-making contests, and Bikathon.

Fifth, the lack of pool of trainers and young players to compete in regional and national competitions like the Palarong Pambansa and the Philippine Olympic Festival (POF). As a result, the city landed only on the 7th place in the recent Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association better known as CLRAA sports meet held in Palayan City in Nueva Ecija recently.

Sixth, the city council has reportedly approved the purchase of expensive service vehicles like Toyota Hilux and Innova in 2007 for city councilors, division chiefs, and departments heads despite claims of lack of budget.

And seventh (not the last f course), illegal drugs, bukas kotse, and various illegal gambling operations like sakla in various barangays are reportedly rampant.

At any rate, with these observations, Angelenos have reasons to get disappointed with the Mr. Blue since life in the City of Angels has never been “angelic” in the past ten years until now.

For me, Mayor Blue maybe the right and legitimate person to lead the city, but sadly, he doesn’t have the right people to help him. What he now has is an armada of “pitbulls,” “great danes,” “German shepherds,” and the “asong kalyes” working in the city hall who are suffering from gluttony.

Now, is there something else to expect from the city government than a life bluer – than Blue?