Flying away from the future

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The people of Bacolod should resign to their fate and let history judge whether it was a wise move of their officials to stop the construction of flyovers in the most traffic-laden areas of the city now.

The past few days have seen a lot of discussions on the move to install two flyovers in the busiest intersections of the city because of the grant of two of them from the national government. There are ten of this units that the government has purchased through an international loan and, it would seem to the unjaundiced eye that a boon has been made available, not only for present convenience, but also a facility that could help draw into the city not only tourists but especially investors and business enterprises that could enhance its landscape, and give employment opportunities and possibilities for advancement to the qualified ones.

Admittedly, there will be some inconveniences while construction is going on. But what are a few months, even a year, compared to the benefits that different routes could give, and the economy to be enjoyed by motorists when vehicle owners do not waste precious fuel while marking time in slow – or unmoving traffic?

Our province and city are already known for having the most number of vehicles in the region. It is reasonable to expect that the number will continue to grow as people’s lives improve and they are enabled to join the ranks of owners of cars and other types of vehicles. In five, maybe less, years, one can just imagine how many more new ones will be joining the thousands now clogging the major streets at the start and end of school and office hours.

Major Asian cities like Bangkok have seen how advantageous flyovers can be to their crowded city. In fact these crisscross its major streets, giving motorists added venues to reach their destinations. And look how progressive and how attractive to tourists Bangkok, and Thailand itself, have become.

It is a pity that some of our officials cannot look farther than their noses and predict how the city could be in the future. A warning sign now, as pointed out by a former governor, is how Bacolod has slid from a leading position in the ranking for competitiveness. That is just one of the signs of what may happen if we continue to be nearsighted and allow personal pride affect the way we decide.*