2007 will be a better year

That's optimism. And that's what we should have in facing the New Year. Fear of the future is the mother of failure. That's why we must always be like a steam kettle. Though up to its neck in hot water and a fire below, it still sings.

Because when we always face the sunshine there will never be the shadows. Always love the sunrise, the birth of a new day.

I remember the Japanese soldiers during the war. Every morning they would pay homage to the sunrise. That's why they are progressive.

Recall Stevie Wonder's song in the 70s, "You are the sunshine of my life, / That's why I'll always stay around."

Or observe how enthusiastic, spirited, and hepped up my aging warrior friends, the Sunshine Boys are when they sing, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray …" It's because there's sunshine, optimism, and hope in their minds. They are survivors. Let us face the New Year with optimism.

Saturday night I tried to recite an old high school poem "The Chambered Nautilus" but could not recall the author. Nordy Diploma saved the day, it was Oliver Wendell Holmes. "Build thee more stately mansion, O my soul! / As the swift season roll / Leave thy vaulted past / And make the new better than the last."

Nordy corrected me. The hottest place in hell is not for the fence-sitters but for the ungrateful. Correct!

***

The fearless forecast is that 2007 will be a better year. It's bright for the sugar industry and the other day a news item said, West Visayas is the second highest rice producer. I hope they did not count NFA imports.

With SM opening at the Reclamation, expect a bigger boost to the economy. I ask city officials, forget politics. As soon as SM opens, if you cannot put up a statue for Sammy Palanca, at least give him the biggest honors you can have.

He spent his whole life developing the place which has been his passion. Sheer force of optimism has kept Sammy going. Much beyond 80, his mind still oozes with development: hotel, condominium, and many more.

***

And many companies will be coming to Bacolod, too. Take this, 2007 will be good for Bacolod. Investors will be coming. Our power rate is the lowest in West Visayas. Even less than half of Iloilo's.

I met Ceneco president Ed Guillem the other day. "I am reporting to you. Our systems loss is only 12 percent and collection is 99 percent." Systems loss used to hover from 14 to 18 percent and collection at only 75 percent.

Salute to Ed Guilllem. Support Ceneco and pay your bills promptly. Of course, pay your taxes promptly and correctly too.

I met Bago City treasurer Armando Amos the other day to pay my 2007 land taxes. I suggested to him to foreclose lands with unpaid taxes. I found transacting with Bago government offices more convenient and personnel more efficient. The late Mayor Manuel Torres was tough. And the present Mayor Janet Torres is very good too.

Treasurer Amos right away ordered Ric Abellar of the land tax division to work by sending letters to delinquent tax payers.

How else can a local government unit function well if taxes are not collected. I also told Local Revenue District Officer Sweet Rios, I will help in her tax collection. I like her being strict.

It's for the government, she said. We all must support government.

***

Criticize government and officials if they need criticism. But, perform your duty as citizens. I like Insurance Executive Monet Kilayko. Never have we met that he did not complain about the chaos in the city. But, try finding out, Monet Kilayko is the biggest individual tax payer in Bacolod these many years.

And Harish Nandwani too. While standing in front of PCIBank at Rizal-Araneta Streets he came to me. He pointed to me the sidewalk vendors in front of his store across the street. I said I would bring it up with Mayor Bing Leonardia. I asked, Harish, are you paying your taxes promptly. Yes, he said.

There are many successful businessmen in Bacolod. And they are the engines that generate wealth for Bacolod. They are the wealth creators, providing employment to many.

I just want to present a young (I believe he is still young) businessman and outstanding executive Roseller Ciocon who heads a string of businesses with L'Fisher Hotel as its flagship.

He provides inspiration to others.

***

The heirs of the late Fernando (Padoc) Gonzaga too are also among the aggressive entrepreneurs. Their donation of five hectares to Bacolod for the government center is an example of being businessmen with a heart.

That's why media must be supportive of businesses, particularly the entrepreneurs. Without them there can be no progress. Let 2007 be the year of the entrepreneurs.*

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