Natividad’s gem isn’t its gem yet

By Noel Cabobos

 

IN DOWNTOWN Tayug, workers, since the start of Mayor Tyrone Agabas administration, have been busy working on the drainage system to make it ready for floods that can affect the town especially in times of heavy rainfall or typhoon.

Indeed, Mayor Agabas appears to be on his toes and is proving to all and sundry that favoring him during the last elections was, after all, a right decision that Tayugueños made, although I guess it’s still too early to say that for now.

Another major happening so far is the so-called zoning that the mayor is trying to implement at the town’s public market wherein street vendors are being relocated to just one side instead of occupying the entire perimeter of the public market.

Although there are naysayers (as there will always be naysayers), majority in the town are happy with this initiative because: (1) it will minimize the clogging of the market drainage system; (2) it will, as well, minimize the traffic mess in the area and in the event of emergency could provide a way for fire trucks or other emergency vehicles; and (3) it will provide market-goers better access in and out of the market, which most of them are being denied due to the narrow pathways resulting from the side-by-side establishment of tents and the usually disorganized placement of their wares and foodstuffs. And, believe me, this happens in almost all areas of the public market especially during market days, which is three times a week.

In the case of Tayug and its semi-stinking public market due to the frequency of its use by ambulant vendors, Mayor Agabas was right in implementing the zoning program as it is a justifiable and rational action in response to the problems. I just can’t imagine the extent of the effect in the environment of the continuing presence of ambulant vendors on all sides of the town’s public market.

I hope this program can be broadened such that proper zoning will be implemented in all aspects of local governance, and perhaps will play a big part in the town’s comprehensive planning program, which I really hope there is one.

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The call to abolish SK is not only timely but morally appropriate.

In our country’s setting wherein youth politics ha been politically bastardized, it is the better solution to stop things from being bad to becoming worse. Besides, it’s one way to lessen the government’s allocation of funds which normally go to insignificant youth endeavors and projects as well as the better way to get rid of nonsense youth politicos, most of whom are fond of sitting on sessions without uttering even a single word. I’m certain observers to sessions will agree with me that most (if not all) of our youth leaders are an excellent representation of dumb and dumbers. Where the hell is the so-called youth representation if they could not even participate in discussions or during deliberations? So in line with the government’s program of Daang Matuwid, I think it is morally upright to finally abolish SK. In fact, it’s already long overdue.

Youth representation? They always have the option anyway to run in the Barangay or Municipal/City Council or Provincial Board, as the case may be, if they still wish to serve their ranks.

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AFTERTHOUGHTS. The town of Natividad has a gem — its falls in Batchelor which serves as a hideaway for the locals, especially during weekends. The serenity of this nature experience is indeed a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of life and, in a way, for reinvigorating one’s self. To be there, indeed, feels like you are sitting at the bosom of God’s creation.

However, it costs a calvary of trekking and at some points cheating with death experiences before you get to savor the halleluiah of this wonderful place.

From its ill-maintained trails to its unsupervised waterfalls, it is very clear that the local government of Natividad is not seeing the potentials of its own gem, which, with the right amount of development and supervision, can surely attract tourists from the world over.

Indeed, even how precious a thing is if it is not used to its capacity of being precious is not actually one. Too bad. Really too bad for a town that wants to have a niche in tourism but fails to care for the one that can make it a hit.

 (Comments are welcome at noelcabobos@yahoo.com)

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