Opinion: Wedge Perceived Between Golez, Leonardia
RAISED EYEBROWS. The first inkling that all is not well between Congressman Dr. Anthony Golez and Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia became evident, but not yet glaring until Friday, January 20, when the city’s lone solon, as news say it, slammed the disaster management summit which is to be purportedly conducted in Bacolod City through the auspices of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr. “Slammed” is quite a very strong word if we are to analyze it, because newsmen and women could only de-emphasize it by using “criticized”, “commented” or “opined”. But not slammed because one can imagine a doer being slammed shut. There is a bang and forceful element to it. And “slammed” carries a message that cannot all too well be missed as far as newspaper readers are concerned. There is a forceful element to it aside from an overtone which cannot be missed.
And the issue concerns the supposed disaster risk reduction summit in Bacolod City, which is scheduled within the month. And one remembers that previously, Koko Pimentel’s wife Jewel May Lobaton, a truly native daughter was palsy-walsy with Congressman Golez who said a multi-million peso fund for the nutrition project would be carried out by him and Jewel. SOUNDS OBLIQUE. But the reports sound oblique and unnatural because instead of Golez, it is now Leonardia being funded with a risk-reduction summit and not Golez. What is going on and has gone behind the scenes? In his riposte, Golez said a risk reduction summit was not needed in Bacolod City and he may well be right because at the moment, the summit was being talked about, the city was wallowing in uncollected garbage. There were garbage everywhere, in the public markets, in major and minor streets and piles and piles of it can be seen and perceived. The problem needed utmost solution. But now, it appears that city government officials were on their latest secret planning sessions (opposition councilors not included), in order to make more money through commissions and which is privatization of garbage collection which weeks after has now come to pass.
So, Golez said that on the issue of disaster risk summit, the city does not really need it, but what is urgently needed is the collection of garbage because without the effective gathering of garbage, it would drive away tourists, or would result in the city becoming an unwinnable entity in clean and green campaigns. Golez’ strong words came after months of being lashed at by spokesmen, albeit who are publicly known in several media outlets. ACTING ON GARBAGE PROBLEM? Golez said uncollected garbage, if it is strewn everywhere will clog drainage systems, will trigger floodings and will cause public health problems such as resulting in the onset of cholera, leptospirosis and diarrhea including possibly communicable diseases such as typhoid fever.
However, Leonardia reacted and said the garbage problem has already been targetted for solution and the latest we heard is that it has been privatized by the mayor’s political allies in the City Council because in the words of many people, privatization will bring in something for them and that is commission. What is commission? When one transacts business, one always gets commission and commissions are among the transactions where one would not be accused of committing graft and corruption. In the past, city government officials have gone into commissions and by transacting business with private persons.
Golez, in more ways than one, opined that children and people can be healthy without commissions. He would rather carry out the bionic dance steps. It’s good for the health. But, indeed! Tell you me!*
