LIFE ahead is like an octopus with the head representing me and the tentacles the roads I may have to tread. Things are happening so fast that may create a lot of changes.
The prospect of moving to a new residence, the acquisition of a small farm by my children, a plan that may result in a break in my column writing, and the rapid aging that is taking toll on my health, is making me lose my focus on my priorities.
Moving to a new place entails time to adjust to a new environ and the people within. How it will affect my livelihood is uncertain considering its proximity. The small farm may take much of my time if we pursue what we intend to do with it.
I may take a long rest from column writing or say goodbye to it for good. I will surely miss that. Only one man can stop my plan, and he knows that. Otherwise, it’s now or never.
Time is fleeting that it seems like Christmas has just ended, and now we’re looking at it again. Health deteriorates with the passage of time and if I don’t go for it now, I may never get another chance to do it. It’s not so much about winning or losing but about planting the seeds for good. Whether Cagayanons will be willing to nurture it or not, at least I can proudly say, “I tried.” After that, I can retire with my gardens and farm animals like the magazine picture I saw two scores ago.
If my time is up, I would rather be remembered for doing something good than bad. I leave everything to Him and destiny.
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I doff my hat to RTA enforcers who implement traffic law. But enforcers should be ready to answer violators what particular traffic violation one has committed and not simply saying, “Kung naa kay reklamo, adto lang sa opisina.” That’s arrogance! Like I always say, we can exercise leniency depending on the situation.
A friend who has been in the construction business for more than a decade has not experienced being issued citation tickets for “illegal parking along the highway.” His place is right under the overpass in Lapasan. Their customers have been used to parking in front of his store. Where else can they park, anyway? It’s been like that for years. Now, I remember not so long ago. RTA and DPWH had a drive against trucks parked along the highway. According to the news, they brought with them towing trucks, and towed a few.
If what happened to my friend’s customer or their delivery trucks was part of this drive, maybe the right thing to do was to inform my friend about the law. Yes, ignorance of the law is no excuse. But a little education will go a long way to establish good relations between enforcers and the public.
The arresting enforcers could have told my friend or his representatives that it’s no longer allowed and that the law would be strictly enforced henceforth.
I promised my friend to check the situation. Honestly, there were many vehicles parking along the highway untouched. What makes them special?
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