A “to-do” list for our public leaders

GOODBYES and hellos will be made this week as the winners in the May 10 election assume their respective posts as either new or re-elected officials.

A lot of hope and expectations have been pinned on the incoming leadership of President Benigno Aquino III. There is a pervading sense of optimism in the country even as Aquino, after his proclamation, laid down his first order of business while serving notice that he is not a miracle-worker.
Our local government officials, regardless of political-party affiliation, should take inspiration in the collective optimism and themselves set out their agenda. We hope to hear straight from our incoming and returning LGU leaders this week what they have planned for the next three years. Some of the things that we would like to see at the top of the things-to-do list of our governor, vice governor, mayors, vice mayors, to be supported by the provincial board members and city/municipal councilors, and the six congressional representatives include: (1) a management plan for the garbage situation; (2) improvement targets for education; (3) disaster preparedness plan; and (4) poverty-alleviation projects.

Mayors should stop using limitations in finances and technical-knowhow as an excuse for their inability to comply with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Instead, they must find resources on how to at least take the first step of converting the widespread open dumps into controlled dumpsites. Partnership among neighboring small towns or between a big city and the surrounding municipalities could be an option. Pooling resources together could make finding a solution easier. If there is a political will, there is a way.

Urdaneta City, being the first and only one so far to comply with the law, can perhaps go out of its way to share its experience.

While public education policies are made at the national level, developments can be undertaken through local initiatives such as increasing and improving basic school facilities, and hiring more teachers and advancing their skills. Our congress reps can play a major role here by allocating a chunk of their pork barrel for education projects.

We have seen time and again, especially with the heavy typhoons in the last two years, how calamities can easily take lives and property overnight. We can’t stop natural disasters but we can cushion its impact by preparedness plans that cover evacuation to relief. LGUs should closely link with the provincial government, and model city Dagupan, which have built up and continue to strengthen their preparedness strategies and equipment.

Livelihood programs and agricultural sector assistance will be key in bolstering the economy and the LGU heads need to lay down a specific course of action for this.

We welcome our new public servants and welcome back those who have received a fresh mandate. Time to get to work.

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