Looking at the road map

I am happy with the inaugural addresses of both Gov. Joseph Marañon and Mayor Evelio Leonardia. They have set the road map for both the province and the city for the next three years and the future. Marañon delivered his state of the province address early afternoon of Monday while Leonardia delivered his inaugural speech early evening of the same day.

I was there at the back of the grandstand listening and nodding my head in agreement when, he said, these are not plans to be done. He has already started doing them.

His search for investors to provide a faster economic growth and the government center which has long been overdue is very laudable.

But I find a more statesman-like move in what he said, his professionalizing government services to meet the people's needs and the economic growth.

Statesman-like because Leonardia is not acting like a traditional politician, a trapo, but as an executive.

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Professionalizing city government services, the way I understand it, is doing away with so many casuals, a political accommodation for election supporters who have no work but get their pay.

Installing the finger print time recorder is improving employee performance!

Make city employees perform their job commensurate to the pay they get. The non-performers should have no place there. It's also good he made Dr. Roger Balo, a hard working, capable executive the city administrator and Goldwyn Nifras his secretary. The test of a public official is by the people he has around him. His effectiveness is seen in the effectiveness of these people.

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Improving the economy is very important. And it is a must. But, I am also happy he gave importance to education. I believe, however, giving "free miscellaneous fees" to elementary and high school students is a help. But he should insist on having competent and effective teachers. Educations must be a priority.

City Schools Superitendent Mila S. Gonzales, elder sister of Vice-Mayor Thaddy Sayson, is a very good administrator. The Mayor must tell Mrs. Gonzales to get only the best teachers and insist on improving teaching quality.

The Bacolod City College which he founded is performing well. But, I believe this is not enough. It must excel more, being the only public tertiary school in the city and a school where financially handicapped students go.

And to me, another important one, is his giving attention to the barangays. Economic improvement in the city is hollow, empty until the barangays and their livelihood is improved.

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Mayor Leonardia has Gov. Joseph Marañon as a model to follow. When Marañon performed well in his first term, he practically was unopposed in his second and last terms. One cannot avoid pesky opponents, though.

Marañon has all what it takes. He is not adversarial and gets people joining him. He has good people. They implement what the Governor wants. Joe Valencia is a very good right-hand man.

He spells out in clear, concise and direct terms what he wants. And demands their implementation. His seven-point program and especially his food security is good.

He has now nine priorities, adding ethanol and the Negros-Panay bridge to his original seven points.

The program aims to bring improvement to the countryside.

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There is something in Governor Marañon that is very outstanding. No one can point an accusing finger of scams in his administration. His honesty has long been tested.

He sees to it government funding does not go to waste. And when offered millions during elections, he refused.

Because of this he can demand honesty from his people too.

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I have noted our elected public officials have improved a lot. There is now a focus on how to serve the people best. The people themselves have been demanding, electing only the best performer.

I am upbeat with our new officials all over the province. But, we will be the ones to give them the grades at the end of their term. We must insist they work hard and do their best.*

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