“THE test of the pudding is in the eating,” is how the world usually responds to issues whose end is doubtful, and difficult to judge. Such was the case with the implementation of the elevation of streets and drainage system in perennially flooded Dagupan City’s major streets.

Well, Typhoon Carina came with its gusty winds and monsoon rains whose volume could have easily stopped all activities in the city as in the past, yet the major streets and drainage systems that were elevated showed no semblance of the past.  People were walking through wet streets and motorists were moving around effortlessly unmindful of the heavy downpour.

The projected results of the major construction were realized.

But It had to take the political will of Mayor Belen Fernandez to pursue the twin projects that she, residents and business sector knew would bring about major inconvenience over 250 days that risked a slowdown of economy, similar to the level of the two-year pandemic.

A critical factor to implement was the timetable within which to complete them. What infrastructure project in the country was completed in time and efficiently?

It was this uncertainty of how long the public would be served this inconvenience that the obstructionist opposition in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan pounced on for months for as long as the residents were seen slowly, cautiously walking through construction areas, stores were closing and business owners were bewailing difficulties.

It was a situation that could have weakened the resolve of the Belen Fernandez administration to sustain its timetable, but it didn’t. One thing was certain, the seven councilors (Redford Erfe-Mejia, Librada Reyna-Macalanda, Celia Chua-Lim, Alfie Fernandez, Irene Lim-Acosta, Alvin Coquiia and Marilou Fernandez) were obviously the type who would have crumbled in the face of the endless criticism, denunciation and fault-finding they themselves launched, turning to social media using trolls of their own.

They are the politicians that the city doesn’t deserve at any time in the future.

Thankfully, the experienced benefits of the decision to elevate the streets and the drainage system came as a validation of Mayor Fernandez’s leadership qualities. And vindication of her resolve.

In such governance issues, only a political will can win for the populace.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments