ONCE upon a time, this stretch of road looked isolated. Newly opened and paved, only a few knew of it. For this reason, I always pass through here when I go downtown. Months later, the vehicular traffic grew. Not only that, it became the parking area for those who work at the Cepalco office, the RTC and the YMCA. Today, cars occupy the stretch fully on either side. The worst is when trucks and trailers also park on both sides parallel each other, making the road no longer a two-way street. And who are the owners of these trucks? I hope barangay chair Gigi Go will take time to check on this. Even the trucks parking along Corrales Extension have been the subject of complaints by some residents due to its risk to school children nearby. Twice, I told the truck drivers to park on one side only because they’re too big to park parallel each other. Their convenience is not convenient to many. I am referring to Baculio Street. This is a concern for our barangay chairs Bimbo Casiño and Gigi Go for them to resolve. •• The story of GSD correspondent Bonita Ermac about a businessman killed by motorcycleiding gunmen is relevant to what a few of us just talked about. It’s about wearing helmets in the city. The wearing of helmet is a national law. But if the LGU has a say on the law, it may opt for exemption within city limits. Within city limit, motorcycle hardly runs at a speed that would warrant the use of helmet. Besides, keeping one’s face from public view makes it difficult to identify the rider during criminal act. Other cities have adopted this exemption. LTO does not agree. But if the law can’t be implemented consistently, we might as well go for the exemption. With helmet on, a would-be criminal can study his move without being noticeable. If the offense is murder, how are we going to identify a helmet-wearing murderer? •• Cagayan de Oro Press Club president Jerry Orcullo shared his views about illegal gambling. He said, “If you want to kill the snake, don’t just cut the tail but smash the head. These illegal outlets can be likened to illegitimate children. The mother of all swertres gambling is the PCSO that runs these number games. Let’s not blackmail the people that without PCSO, this government would be inutile as far as helping the poor with their medical needs. Abolish DOH. Abolish PCSO because they run the games where these illegals get their result. Or it is because PCSO is big source of corruption? Remember the many scandals happening in PCSO involving it’s officers.” I fully agree with him. I even believe that threats are from people with authority. They never had it so good. Even an unassuming officer had been rumored to be a recipient of weekly payoffs. It’s a practice allegedly passed down to whoever takes the helm. •• I am so glad to see our colleague Bong Fabe making his observations about our traffic and RTA enforcers known. Had it been me, I would have been accused of seeing nothing but the negative only. Counter flowing has become a practice not only here but also on the highway going to Laguindingan town in Misamis Oriental. The road is so wide and without lines. Motorists not only enjoy the wide highway but also disregard driving courtesy by counter-flowing when in a hurry. One of these days, when accident happens, it’s going to be gruesome. You can bet that there will be a blame game.