What did Moreno do about it?

Ben Contreras

AT last, Atty. EgayUy, Task Force HapsayDalan chief, has come to realize that fun runs need to be held elsewhere instead of the usual major thoroughfares. Some people thought I am averse to fun runs due to my commentaries in the past. Far from it! If I were younger and strong, I would have participated, too. But I would suggest that fun runs should be held where it’s not busy or won’t affect the flow of traffic.

As Uy noted, the growing number of vehicles makes it not practical to close any lane just to accommodate fun runs. Why not do it in Taguanao, passing that bridge to Pueblo? They love challenge, and that route is a good one.

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Uy made another good point. Why blame the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) for the slow installation of the new traffic light system? RTA has nothing to do with the project. It’s either the contractor is not up to the job or something is preventing the contractor from finishing the job. Spare the RTA, please.

A contract has stipulations. If not followed to the letter, a violation could lead to default or fine.

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What we recently had were heavy rains and many places were already flooded. What more if a storm comes. Are we prepared for it?

We continue to welcome malls and big hotels, new highise commercial buildings without considering where all the rainwater would go, and if there would there be enough open space to absorb rain water.

DongkoyEmano did nothing to improve our drainage system. Early in his term, we hoped and suggested that a masterplan for our drainage system be studied for future implementation. This was totally ignored. Complicating the problem was when he concreted our streets in downtown areas without supervision and without making sure that the drainages are interconnected. Flood in Divisoria has become common during heavy downpour.

What has the new administration done so far? Nothing! It can’t even clean the drainage in Divisoria. Too little for a project that won’t deliver, I guess.

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I heard over the radio a man who lauded Dongkoy for doing a lot for the city. He especially mentioned the Cogon Market. I was amused. Just because it was painted violet, it made the market beautiful?

The construction of the Cogon market from the old dilapidated one to this was marked with controversy that even Dongkoy’s allies were ashamed to support. If I clearly recall, one said, “Lutuon man ta inisakaugalingongmantika.” The winning bidder abandoned the project without being penalized. UKC had to come to the rescue. But even UKC failed to come up with a good market building not because it didn’t know how to do it but because assuming the project meant loss of money. But then, UKC just couldn’t say no to Dongkoy.

Is it still a public market or a mini-mall? It’s a combination of both, perhaps? But certainly, many poor occupants were dislocated or totally unable to get back their old stalls because new ones were given favors.

And what did the Moreno administration do about it?