Driving around Bacolod City, motorists can see the differences between clean and dirty barangays from the road. They also wonder why barangay officials are not reprimanded and ordered to make their areas look decent.
During a chat, an engineer expressed confusion over why roads continue to be used for the disposal of trash.
“When you drive around the city, trash is all around,” they stressed. “Isn’t the city a ‘model city?’ ‘A livable city?’”
A lawyer mentioned the illegal structures built along the road, calling it a mess.
“There is too much politicking in government,” they said. “It seems local officials are afraid of voters.
“With the election coming, politicians are not brave enough to enforce the laws of the land, the lawyer added.
A teacher pointed out the damaged vehicles parked for long periods of time along city roads.
“Try driving around Bacolod, it is unimaginable how there is so much trash along the roadside,” they stated.
The teacher added, “There are too many ordinances in the city that are not enforced, which is why the environmental state of the city is such a mess.”
The lawyer mapped out some of the city’s “hotspots,” noting, the end of BS Aquino Drive, where it merges with San Juan Street; and along San Juan Street, near the fire station, where beer bottles are strewn and even tents are set up along the road.
“How shameful can we be?” they asked.
“We see people using the streets as their eating area, they even display dried fish along the road,” the lawyer pointed out, focusing the area near Manokan Country. “It is something city residents are ashamed of.”
“Roads are getting narrower because of illegal structures and barangay officials don’t care,” the teacher added. “Are local officials afraid of those elected to barangay posts?”
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Decades back, then-Marikina City Mayor Bayani Fernando saw Bacolod City as the model of a clear city. Lately, he was shocked seeing how his “model city” has been disregarded. It’s time to wake up!
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This column greets Bacolod City Councilors Dindo Ramos, Renecito Novero, and Em Ang; Silay City police chief, Police Superintendent Noel Polines; Roland Ramos; Jane Javellana; Nico Velasquez; Rene Cortum; and Mae Panes./WDJ