THE BUREAUCRACY THAT KILLS. My teeth are gnashing and I feel sad over the loss of one precious life and the misery suffered by 25 others, and still counting as of press time, after they ate tahong (mussel) in Bolinao town.

Why is the government so slow in disseminating information?

“Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?” an old Filipino saying goes that aptly describes how being slow-footed could do more harm than good.

The food poisoning happened Wednesday. The weekly sampling of water and shellfish meat was taken by personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 1 a day earlier.

But BFAR Director Nestor Domenden said while they had sent the samples to Manila for laboratory examination, the official result, however, would only be released by their main office to be signed by their big boss, Director Asis Perez, read this, ONLY every Friday! This is the kind of bureaucracy that kills.

My, oh my, the advisory was 3 days too late for the victims of food poisoning and worse, one already died.

Sila kaya ang pakainin ng tahong tapos sabihin natin, ay sorry ha, may red tide pala yan kaya may lason! – Tita Roces

 

LINGAYEN’S P23-M PROJECTS. Five months ago, I wrote a news article on the new wet market and new slaughterhouse projects of the capital town. I mentioned a September 2014 simultaneous opening of the two projects, citing municipal administrator Lydia Pioquinto. I was happy about it.

But that didn’t happen. What happened?

I learned that the market ordinance prescribed a P75,000 goodwill fee for each stall while the vendors insist on P25,000. A suggestion for a compromise, to meet halfway, was made later.

Meanwhile, National Meat Inspection Services hasn’t accredited the “class AA” slaughterhouse due to “minor technicalities.” The municipal administrator said the slaughterhouse can still operate ‘locally’ even sans accreditation. Okay, fine.

It’s now December and the Issues remain unresolved. The year is ending soon, what now? Just when I thought my beloved town finally wants some changes, it’s not happening. Or am I just dreaming again? – Johanne Macob

 

ABUSIVE SCHOOL SUPERVISOR. There is one abusive supervisor of fellow teachers who never seemed to have learned her lessons despite the fact that she was already reported to the regional office for her abuses. Her name might connote a joyous person but to her fellow teachers as she is the arrogant person notorious for collecting excessive contributions from the 308 teachers in the school for every reason, i.e., sports, math, science and all kinds of events n their school.

Her fellow teachers have also complained about how she obliges them to buy her products. She would deliver the products they refused to buy, and would insist on collecting payment. She even threatens and intimidates her fellow teachers who refuse to do as she bids, which is why most just keep silent to avoid incurring her ire.

The DepEd officials should investigate the unethical conduct of this supervisor even as I hope the teachers would not tire of reporting the irregularities in their school. – Hilda Austria

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