Ferrera deserves
to be honored

Very rarely does the province of Negros Occidental bestow honors to outstanding citizens. But this time, I think a 26-year old Cauayan native, Arniel Ferrera deserves to be honored by the province.

Not that he is the lone recommended. But Ferrera proved outstanding in that he captured a third straight gold medal Saturday at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand . A Philippine Air Force member, Ferrera bested his own record of 60.47 meters with his 60.93 m, a new record. But he is not contended with that. His aim is still 63 meters.

Ferrera is a true-blooded Cauayanon. He is an alumnus of Manuling Elementary School , Saint Columban's Academy and the Binalbagan Catholic College . It was actually Columban priest, Colum O'Halpin who discovered his athletic promise and took him under training in the hammer throw.

Well, for somebody who is a real barrio boy, Ferrera deserves tribute from his fellow Negrenses. And the provincial government should seize the lead on that.

****

I saw yesterday those two stores fronting the residence of Rep. Monico Puentevella along Burgos Street , which had scandalized former Councilor Patty Cuaycong. The problem they were constructed atop the open sewer or canal. And nobody seems to have questioned their construction.

Well, as I had previously mentioned, it seems that nobody in city hall seems to have acted on these constructions. Neither did the Barangay Villamonte officials act on this anomaly despite Cuaycong's having personally reported it to them.

So, what do these mean? They will remain monuments to official apathy, a testimonial to why floods continue to hound Bacolod . And a tribute to the fact that lack of political will to enforce the law is the reason for the atrocious traffic situation of Bacolod . And a lot more.

***

Sunday night, I motored all the way to Espinos Village Two. Along the way, I saw a long line of loaded cane trucks. The reason – they were to be diverted from the corner of Circumferential Road via Burgos Street to Lacson Street where they were to proceed to the North.

The reason, I learned later, was that the small bridge on the Montevista side of the highway was in danger of collapsing. And if the loaded cane trucks were to use it, they were bound to bring it down. I hope the DPWH act on this situation fast. They cannot succumb to the usual bureaucratic excuse of no money for the repair. I am sure that if Rep. Puentevella is around he won't take “no” for an answer.

Already, I must admit that the repair and improvement of the Circumferential Road has been much delayed. And that includes the portions of the road or national highway near the new government center. I hope the upgrading of the road does not last too long.

As a matter of fact, I'd like to report to Congressman Puentevella that portions of the road leading to Bata remain virtually unusable by lighter vehicles. But the circumferential road is not only for heavy trucks. They will be used later by lighter vehicles to gain access to the airport in Silay City .

I think what is needed is for Congressman Newks to ride herd on the DPWH.

****

The Bago police must arrest fast Joebert Cabos, 25, who shot to death SPO1 Alan Retolosa, police COMPAC chief, in Barangay Ma-ao of Bago City Friday night. Retolosa died Saturday at the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital from lower abdominal gunshot wounds.

Cabos was apparently one of the two suspected robbers of fighting cocks. They were on board a motorcycle when flagged down by the police and asked to produce their vehicle's registration papers. But when frisked by Retolosa, Cabos allegedly whipped out a .38 caliber revolver and shot at the cop three times.

That incident puts the Bago City Police on the spot. There have been mounting outcries about the criminality in Ma-ao. Now Retolosa's death should prod the police to crack down hard on the criminals who have alarmed Ma-ao residents.

***

Incidentally, I just learned from the parish priest of Our Lady of the Candles that the clergy of Bacolod had a briefing on the Ceneco-Kepco deal. And, from the tenor of Sunday's sermon, Ceneco chairman Roberto Montelibano is in for a lot of questions and must be told that he has to come up with ready answers.

For the first time, parishioners were educated on how to view the problem of the Ceneco-Kepco deal. The most important thing to answer – the contract was signed without the KEPCO plant yet. And it will be put up only if the minimum requirement had been contracted for among local government units. So, what gives?*

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