Survey: Illegal drugs top concerns in Oro

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

DRUG abuse, not corruption, topped the list of problems cited by respondents during a survey conducted by the Xavier University-Kinaadman Research Center in the city early this month.

Theft and robbery incidence, and the illegal parking of trucks and other vehicles were the second and third top concerns of voters, revealed Kinaadman research coordinator Dr. Astrid Sinco, citing the results of the survey that was conducted from March 12 to 16.

Many of the respondents expressed concerns about the city’s peace and order situation which they blamed for the proliferation of illegal drugs, and their perceived increase in theft and robbery cases.

Results of the Kinaadman survey, involving 800 respondents, also showed that voters were also concerned about the city’s state of the drainage system, the delivery of basic services, the water supply, threats to the environment and sanitation, garbage collection, and the lack of public toilets.

Sinco said unemployment, livelihood opportunities and food security were also raised as concerns.

Allegations of corruption from the barangays all the way to city hall, and the non-implementation of ordinances were the least of the problems on local governance cited by the respondents.

The information was revealed the same day Kinaadman released results of the survey that show the leading candidates in the race for the presidency down to city council seats.

The results show that Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is the leading presidential candidate, and that it’s a tie between his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the vice presidenctial race.

The Kinaadman survey results also show that ex-mayor Vicente Emano was slightly leading in the mayoral race, followed closely by reelectionist Mayor Oscar Moreno, and then by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District. Kinaadman earlier said it was a three-way “statistical tie” for the mayoral post.

Reelectionist Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas is also leading while reelectionist congressman Rolando Uy and Councilor Ramon Tabor are ahead in the congressional races in the 1st and 2nd Districts, respectively. Kinaadman however said it’s a “statistical tie” between Uy and Darimbang.

In the race for city council seats, reelectionists councilors Zaldy Ocon of the 1st District, Nadya Elipe and Dometilo Acenas of the 2nd District were leading–it’s a tie between the two 2nd district councilors.

Two congressional candidates–lawyer Evangeline Carrasco and Councilor Lourdes Darimbang–expressed disappointment.

Carrasco, a congressional candidate in the 2nd District who received 1.18 percent in the survey, “Unta kon maghimo sila ug survey, the one conducting should inform us bisag result na lang as a matter of courtesy.”

Darimbang, the only challenger of Rep. Uy in the 1st District, stated: “I dunno know what’s their bases on (sic) that? Is that from Barangay Carmen alone? How many respondents and what is the methodology used? If only Carmen, I think it’s [not] fair kay turf man na niya (Uy)… If the survey was conducted in Barangay Carmen alone, then for me being the challenger gives me a very good fight against the incumbent.”

Congressman and mayoral candidate Rodriguez said he respected the results of the survey that showed him getting 25.75 percent. His rivals Emano and Moreno received 31.75 percent and 30.50 percent, respectively.

Rodriguez and ex-councilor Edgar Cabanlas, a candidate for congressman in the 2nd District, said the survey results have motivated them to work harder on their respective campaigns.

“Salamat sa maong survey. The survey result will inspire me to work double time in this campaign, and hope for the best,” said Cabanlas.

His rival, Councilor  Tabor, said the survey results only serve as a guide to him. “What is important is  for me to reach out to as many voters as possible and lay down what I can do to get the voters’ trust.”