Ben Contreras A GENTLEMAN who works with the BIR in Malaybalay, Bukidnon called me up through Wowow Obsioma’s phone to talk about our traffic woes in the city. Sort of emulating Cebu City, he suggested that our provincial jail and the provincial hospital, now the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, be sold to private entities for alternative purposes like commercial and business centers where better traffic schemes and flows can be effected. Then I remember this story about Board Member Benedict Lagbas presenting a plan for the provincial jail as proposed by a private entity which was rejected by the then governor Oscar Moreno because the latter allegedly suspected that the provincial legislator might benefit from such transaction. Thus, nothing came out from it. Traffic on Luna Street has always been heavy and the need to widen this street has become a must. Since the governor today is Bambi Emano, I thought I might just get in touch with him for a few questions. A friend who asked not to be identified gave me the governor’s number. First, I sent the governor a text message, asking if I could call him. That was late in the afternoon. At 9 pm, the governor sent me a message that I may. There are indeed alternative plans not only for the provincial jail but also the capitol. All it takes is for the Public Private Partnership to be approved by the Sangguniang Panglalawigan, if I got it right. Of course, there are now a few interested parties. To begin with, the local government of Initao would be willing to donate a piece of land in the interior for the proposed new provincial jail. The Mindanao University of Science and Technology has also offered a piece of land (four hectares) at Lourdes, Alubijid. Gov. Emano would like to see these realized in a very transparent way of dealing. One of the important conditions is that, the new capitol, like the new provincial jail, should be built by the proponents. Asked about the hospital, the governor told me that it is under the Department of Health, and so, the provincial government has no jurisdiction. The provincial jail has an approximate area of more than one hectare extending toward the old engineering offices. To include the area of the old capitol, something can be built there in place of these old edifices. Just a word of caution though to the provincial government, the capitol may have historical value or significance that would require permission from our Historical Commission. Thank you, Gov. Emano, for your time. Thank you also to Gil, our concerned gentleman from BIR office of Bukidnon.
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One big mistake is all it takes for people to be turned off with the Liberal Party. There are many ways to celebrate but that was the lousiest and most debasing stunt they did, putting women as mere sex objects catering to the machismo image of those around. The LP hierarchy must not offer excuses lest they be accused of condoning such an insult to our Filipino women. What a shame!