“And now the end is near…”
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
THE 7 epaLiFes’ arrogance must have totally taken over every cell in their brains for them to believe that they have pushed Mayor Belen Fernandez back to the wall and far enough that she won’t have no other choice but to meet them on their terms and to give in to their demands for a cut in the supplementary budget that she so desperately wants.
Being blind to other essential matters, they failed to assess their chances of succeeding with only three months before the filing of certificates of candidacy and only 10 months before the results of the elections are out after all the endless obstructionism of Mayor Belen’s programs.
I won’t be surprised if Mayor Belen will use the waiting period mismo as her leverage as payback for all the harm they did to the city. After insulting her on many occasions, how can they even think that she will even consider for a minute that she’s willing to meet them privately. They and Mayor Belen know too well that another meeting will only give the7 epaLiFes another chance to blackmail her and the city.
Knowing the 7 epaLiFes after two years, it’s likely going to be P35 million or else!
As Frank Sinatra crooned: “And now the end is near…”
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BAGUIO‘S LOSS. The news about the Baguio Midland Courier publishing ‘30’ is very sad even for us in The PUNCH. It is the oldest surviving community newspaper in the country with 77 years of publishing behind it. Sunday PUNCH is only second oldest surviving community newspaper.
I recall the days when I my father Ermin Sr., who started the PUNCH in 1956, talked about meeting up with the Hamada brothers, Sinai and Oseo, in Baguio City, the two gentlemen who started the COURIER in 1947. Their bonding as journalists with a mission in their communities impacted very positively on their respective communities.
Their level of journalism practice was outstanding and easily earned the respect of journalists in the mainstream media in Manila.
In my case, I had the privilege to collaborating with their sister Cecile Hamada at the Philippine Press Institute. She took over the reins of the Courier since the demise of her two brothers.
Its closure mainly cited financial constraints to the extent that the support from the community was no longer enough amid the growing trend of communities using their smartphones and laptops that cause readership to decline. The PUNCH’s situation is no different but perhaps we are a little more fortunate that we are still managing to cope with these challenges.
More community newspapers are closing shop every year for the same factors. I’m praying we can sustain our operations with the support of our local business and government sector, and national advertisers.
I can imagine the emotional impact of this decision on COURIER publisher Gloria Hamada, of the second Hamada generation, and its loyal reporters. Community journalism is not just another journalism undertaking. It is about enduring commitment to serve a mission.
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NEED FOR DISCIPLINE TO ENFORCE RULES. The provincial ordinance recently passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan seeking to further regulate the motorcycle riders, tricycle derivers and cyclists for their safety is well intentioned. But I’m afraid it will be another rule that will be flagrantly violated and, worse will be ignored by our police and traffic enforcers.
The ordinance requiring the riders, drivers and cyclists to wear reflectorized vests and use reflectorized stickers to further ensure their safety will never be taken seriously by the law enforcers themselves unless someone on top cracks the whip.
The national law requiring wearing of helmets is only observed and enforced inside commercial areas of urbanized cities. Otherwise, riders in and out of barangays refuse to comply, and the local police couldn’t care less.
Only a direct order from the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office to all police chiefs to strictly enforce the wearing of helmets by riders will improve enforcement. Given what is seen today, P/Col. Jeff Fanged never issued such an order.
Board Member Jeremy Rosario should consider making Mr. Fanged and future PNP provincial directors accountable for the enforcement of the helmet law and this new ordinance. Failing this, we will see more undisciplined riders and tricycle drivers irresponsibly racing through our streets and highways without concern for public safety.
There is also the forgotten directive from the DILG that forms part of R.A. 413. It orders motorcycle riders and tricycles to stay on shoulder lanes to prevent accidents. I’m certain all the police chiefs are not even aware of this.
Chief law enforcer Fanged can make the difference for Pangasinenses if he can strictly enforce the laws that will make communities more aware of laws on public order in the sidewalks and streets.
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