Returning stale rice not enoughe

Like most readers, I was jolted by the decision by Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria to order the recall of the stale rice distributed last Christmas by the city government to its workers.

I think what is needed is for the city officialdom to file charges against the owner of grain stores for having taking advantage of the season to dump on the hands of the city and its workers rice that is no longer consumable.

For the price of P1,500 per bag, the store reportedly gave the city rice that it gave to employees.

That, I think, is criminal. Most must have looked forward to first class or, at least second class rice.

So, perhaps, Sagabarria must order an investigation on the transaction and file the necessary charges against the rice retailer.

* * *

The Bacolod City government must heed the complaints from several business sectors that there had been no adequate consultation with them before the approval of the new revenue code of the city.

True, there was a protest several years back filed by the SM Mall against the revenue code on the same complaint. But that was out of hold, apparently after a compromise agreement not to implement it pending completion of certain conditions.

Thus, because of the complaints of such prominent personalities as Ben Ortega of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., and other big names, there must be real reason for their complaints.

In short, they just could not be dismissed outright as canard. Because these are able characters. They just don’t issue such a complaint without justification.

In short, while looking forward to increasing the income of the city from the new revenue code, it is best for the city authorities to pause a while before implementing the ordinance.

That’s the surest way to insure faithful compliance with the ordinance and the attainment of the wish to get the P100-million more from the new revenue code.

* * *

Just one year after, one is amazed with the rapidly changing skyline of Bacolod City. A lot of multi-storey buildings have been rising in many parts of the city. And many more are undergoing construction.

Not only that. There have been several more subdivisions put up in various parts of the city. Both north and south. And one wonders whether there are buyers for these lots and buildings.

Even in subdivisions, a lot more modern buildings have been under construction. A credit to the optimism of their owners.

For example, Nestor Gebalda has six townhouses (duplex), constructed in front of my house at Camansi Street in Capitol Heights.

Yet, I have seen dozens of prospective buyers making a beeline to the area. In Villamonte and neighbouring areas, I have seen  a lot more constructions ongoing. So with other areas nearby and as far as Sum-ag and Mansilingan.

All these indicate there is so much funds for investing available in the city. Couple this with the sudden increase in call center employees as with the emergence of call centers in the city.

Nearby Talisay City is also benefiting from the “boom.” The Ayala North Point is gradually developing into a real suburban area with the Ayala reportedly eyeing the of finally putting up eight call center there.

Mayor Eric Saratan is often seen grinning as he views with satisfaction the ongoing constructions in his city and the prospects of it catching up with Bacolod.

So with Silay City. All one has to do is just move around the city to note that the is an ongoing development that could soon convert Silay into a primary tourism attraction.

In short, all indications point to a move prosperous New Year for Negros Occidental. Even Kabankalan City in the south has grown by leaps and bounds. It has become the main transport hub between Oriental and Occidental Negros. And one can immediately appreciate what this means to Kabankalan City which has become the focal stop for many foreigners going to the south or Oriental Negros.

The more important point to remember: all these progress depends primarily on the availability of stable and adequate supply of power.*

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