If one studies the evolution of the Panglao Airport Project it reveals a pattern on how our government officials are not focused on good development strategy:
1. The project status as reported looked liked it is being rushed.
2. It is being calculated to avoid any semblance of competitive bidding.
3. The project has shown no evidence of effort by the proponents to save money for the government and is designed to award everything to a single contractor.
4. It is not clear so far if the project proponent is the Local Government Unit of Bohol or it is the National Government thru the Department of Transportation and Communications.
While charges of irregularities concerning the project where often raised, no one involved can clear the controversy unless and until they will be transparent in dealing with the answers to the public questions and appeal for clarifications.
It cannot be helped that quite a number of minds would think that some politicians and people in power are intent on making loads of money in preparation for the 2010 elections. If one will make and in-depth analysis of the process, there seems to be a conscious effort to promise, borrow and spend as much as possible. Let the future generation pay for the project cost and its substantial overprice.
Why have they arrived at a project cost, some say its 4.2 b (Ph P) in the absence of evidence to show that we really need this airport? If the project is a feeder airport, what’s being proposed is a redundant facility. If it is international standard, then it competes with the already operational Mactan International Airport situated just a few minutes away from the proposed airports Panglao location.
Good governance, transparency and good procurement practice would require that multibillion projects would begin with a project and economic feasibility and architectural and engineering (A&E) studies that will justify the project undertaking and the basis for what the bidders should bid for. International funding institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the likes usually fund such studies.
Our leaders fixation for mega projects made them overlooks effectiveness and efficiency. In fact, the intent as always, is to maximize the cost of the project, so the overprice, the bribes, can also be maximized. Finally these questions must be addressed squarely:
1. Since the airport project idea started officially during former Gov. Torralba’s Watch, sometime in the late 80’s, was there a feasibility study prepared? What did that study conclude?
2. Subsequent administrations were into a policy of land acquisition precisely for this proposed airport. What happened to those pieces of land reported to have been acquired when the proposed airport is now in a new location as reported?
3. Would an airport have a manifest effect ecologically on the island of Panglao?
4. What exactly did Gov. Aumentado mean when he said, in response to the public clamor and appeal for dialogue and clarifications, “TOO LATE THE HERO”.
In the old days we used to look up to our leaders with respect and awe. We relied in their being dedicated public servants. Today our leaders have focused on merely being functionaries! And we are now, as people, as government experiencing the devastating logical consequence!
Bobby Cericos
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday, June 1, 2007
“ELECTION” LESSON --- A REFLECTION
“ELECTION” LESSON --- A REFLECTION
The basic humanity in me cannot be fulfilled, and the primordial ends of justice cannot be served, without giving out this piece of the mind on the conduct of the last May 14 electoral exercise. Election has been beautifully defined and interpreted as “the process by which qualified voters exercise their sovereign authority through the ballot by means of which they choose their officials for definite and fixed periods to whom they entrust for the time being as their representatives the exercise of powers of government”.
What took place last May 14 was never an election at all! A supposed election that never was! It was a deceptive façade of what really was the mandate of the ruling elite. The power brokers in government simply ordered the sovereign electorate to entrust to them the authority to exercise the powers of government. An unwaveringly principled friend, a stand-alone, said it more bluntly: “Through that May 14 electoral battle, I see no sovereign people, no nation, no democracy, no government. I see only the forces of evil with whom the people happily dance.”
It is scandalously of public knowledge, but which Comelec and other law-enforcement agencies pretend not to know, that the last “election” turned out to be the holiday of criminals, particularly election offenders, beyond the reach of the law. Manipulations in the choice of candidates and political parties. Virtual “theft” in the procurements of Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA). Perjury in the filing of Certificates of Candidacy. Fielding of nuisance candidates, especially those with names similar to the credible ones. Treachery among supposed partymates on financial considerations.
Worse was the rampant and pervasive vote-buying and vote-selling practically admitted by all sectors especially by the media, in violation of Section 261, paragraph (a) of the Omnibus Election Code. More brazen than in the previous elections, this violation involved thousands of pesos per voter. The Criminals among the candidates and the “hungry” among the electorate, blatantly shelved aside the law and disregarded prescriptions from the Church authorities. They played with fire and felt proud and happy doing it!
Commission of election offenses became the ”order of the day”, from the choice of candidates up to the voting and counting of votes. Yet, a great majority of the electorate found it “normal”, something that is generally accepted and no case for complaint.
It was no election at all! What transpired was but an exercise wherein the ruling syndicate – The Regime—with the willing cooperation by its lapdogs in the local government units, selected persons from among their ranks who would hold the reins of a supposed government. Sulkingly, the exploited people willingly acceded to that illegal and immoral exercise. Helplessness has reared its ugly head.
The painful lesson: people’s true sovereignty, authentic democracy, genuine national development, public welfare, justice and peace may no longer be attained through the ballot.
Ultimate reflection: Where are we going, and what can we do? Is there still hope for deliverance within the ambit of law?
God save us!
Bobby Cericos
Tagbilaran City, 17 May 2007
The basic humanity in me cannot be fulfilled, and the primordial ends of justice cannot be served, without giving out this piece of the mind on the conduct of the last May 14 electoral exercise. Election has been beautifully defined and interpreted as “the process by which qualified voters exercise their sovereign authority through the ballot by means of which they choose their officials for definite and fixed periods to whom they entrust for the time being as their representatives the exercise of powers of government”.
What took place last May 14 was never an election at all! A supposed election that never was! It was a deceptive façade of what really was the mandate of the ruling elite. The power brokers in government simply ordered the sovereign electorate to entrust to them the authority to exercise the powers of government. An unwaveringly principled friend, a stand-alone, said it more bluntly: “Through that May 14 electoral battle, I see no sovereign people, no nation, no democracy, no government. I see only the forces of evil with whom the people happily dance.”
It is scandalously of public knowledge, but which Comelec and other law-enforcement agencies pretend not to know, that the last “election” turned out to be the holiday of criminals, particularly election offenders, beyond the reach of the law. Manipulations in the choice of candidates and political parties. Virtual “theft” in the procurements of Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA). Perjury in the filing of Certificates of Candidacy. Fielding of nuisance candidates, especially those with names similar to the credible ones. Treachery among supposed partymates on financial considerations.
Worse was the rampant and pervasive vote-buying and vote-selling practically admitted by all sectors especially by the media, in violation of Section 261, paragraph (a) of the Omnibus Election Code. More brazen than in the previous elections, this violation involved thousands of pesos per voter. The Criminals among the candidates and the “hungry” among the electorate, blatantly shelved aside the law and disregarded prescriptions from the Church authorities. They played with fire and felt proud and happy doing it!
Commission of election offenses became the ”order of the day”, from the choice of candidates up to the voting and counting of votes. Yet, a great majority of the electorate found it “normal”, something that is generally accepted and no case for complaint.
It was no election at all! What transpired was but an exercise wherein the ruling syndicate – The Regime—with the willing cooperation by its lapdogs in the local government units, selected persons from among their ranks who would hold the reins of a supposed government. Sulkingly, the exploited people willingly acceded to that illegal and immoral exercise. Helplessness has reared its ugly head.
The painful lesson: people’s true sovereignty, authentic democracy, genuine national development, public welfare, justice and peace may no longer be attained through the ballot.
Ultimate reflection: Where are we going, and what can we do? Is there still hope for deliverance within the ambit of law?
God save us!
Bobby Cericos
Tagbilaran City, 17 May 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
THE SPIRIT OF BOHOL, A CONSENSUS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
We are all a people in crisis either in economic or moral sense or both. This is heightened by the National Events that are unfolding. Like the debate between economic development and environmental interests, there are no simple solutions... only enlightened choices.
The need to strike a balance between environmental conservation and development is one of the greatest challenges facing us today. For a good quality of life to exist, Boholanos must have the assurance of a healthy environment and stable economic climate to sustain us into the future.
This is the kind of development we need. Fundamentally, we are looking here at the re-invention of an agency tasked to utilize and distribute a natural resource. This question has to be asked- was there a consensus process undertaken? Where all significant interest represented and respected? Did it allow the parties involved to design a process appropriate to their special circumstances and needs?
Our contribution as a people to the nation's progress and development is simply for us to develop and prosper ourselves. We have the resources, but what it takes is to act now! We must arrive at a consensus beneficial to all sectors of Boholanos. We must dedicate our efforts to that purpose and must foster environmental and economic policy that will result in the forging of intelligent decisions to create 'wealth' for our beloved Bohol. As a people, we must undertake the initiative. We can contribute our resources and make a difference.
Bobby P. Cericos
Participant
Together, we can implement the kind of development that will guarantee a bright outlook for us and for the future generation. We call on all the other participants to the Spirit of Bohol launching almost a decade ago.
To register your intent and be part of this consensus, please call telephone number: 411-2041, or email it to rcroberts2000@yahoo.com, spif94@yahoo.com and post your thoughts on our Friendster account at spiritofbohol@yahoo.com.ph email address.
The need to strike a balance between environmental conservation and development is one of the greatest challenges facing us today. For a good quality of life to exist, Boholanos must have the assurance of a healthy environment and stable economic climate to sustain us into the future.
This is the kind of development we need. Fundamentally, we are looking here at the re-invention of an agency tasked to utilize and distribute a natural resource. This question has to be asked- was there a consensus process undertaken? Where all significant interest represented and respected? Did it allow the parties involved to design a process appropriate to their special circumstances and needs?
Our contribution as a people to the nation's progress and development is simply for us to develop and prosper ourselves. We have the resources, but what it takes is to act now! We must arrive at a consensus beneficial to all sectors of Boholanos. We must dedicate our efforts to that purpose and must foster environmental and economic policy that will result in the forging of intelligent decisions to create 'wealth' for our beloved Bohol. As a people, we must undertake the initiative. We can contribute our resources and make a difference.
Bobby P. Cericos
Participant
Together, we can implement the kind of development that will guarantee a bright outlook for us and for the future generation. We call on all the other participants to the Spirit of Bohol launching almost a decade ago.
To register your intent and be part of this consensus, please call telephone number: 411-2041, or email it to rcroberts2000@yahoo.com, spif94@yahoo.com and post your thoughts on our Friendster account at spiritofbohol@yahoo.com.ph email address.
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