Public display of distrust and disrespect

Can someone in Congress just pass a law that unilaterally gives local government officials and the Philippine National Police jurisdiction and the authority to enter, patrol and inspect private properties such as villages, hotels, casinos, including airports and hospitals. It is insane to hear people complain about police response being slow or delayed when an emergency takes place when the very same people prevent the police from entering private establishments to prevent such incidents from taking place.

Time and again we have heard about condominiums, private villages and now hotels and casinos barring police authorities and even firemen from entering establishments until security or staff get permission from owners or management. This is the most public display of distrust and disrespect for our law enforcers as well as public safety officials. Either we give them the authority or we shut up and stop complaining about how fast or slow they respond during a crisis!

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Once in a while, Congressman Rodito Albano comes up with a gem of an idea and his latest proposed bill certainly deserves serious consideration. In an effort to curve gambling addiction, Congressman Albano proposes to impose an “entrance fee” of P3,000 to go into any casino. The fee to be collected will then be given to the DSWD or some other deserving government institution. I support the idea but would make some suggestions for Albano’s consideration.

Anyone who goes into a cockpit knows that bets made inside the pit or between the two fighters are subject to a 10 percent deduction that in turn goes to the cockpit operator or management. That is how they make money. Given that in casinos it is a “winner take all” system where the casino wins most of the time, why not subject all chips to an immediate /outright 10 percent deduction donated to social concerns. The government in effect would get 10 percent of whatever a gambler is willing to lose or bet. Either charge a higher entrance fee of P5,000 or impose the 10 percent rule just like cockpits all over the Philippines. 

As much as I respect the services of the DSWD, I believe there is enough tax money and Filipino compassion to sustain the department’s operational requirement. Considering the serious loss of lives on the part of the AFP, it is about time we give them the support, recognition as well as assistance for their orphans and widows. First and foremost let’s give them better body armor and weaponry, then provide them the best medical facilities both in the field and in their camps, then lets give them priority in real and decent housing facilities and finally establish a nationwide full-scholarship program for every dependent of military personnel.

It is a step forward that more people give respect to members of the AFP in combat. It is a step forward that we post and share commendations and condolences to AFP personnel and dependents on Facebook. But that hardly requires effort or honors the ultimate sacrifice that military personnel and their families make for us. In fact that is all “Lip Service.” If you want to help, then raise the issue of the injustice done to soldiers. As one post on Facebook pointed out: Yes Taxpayers pay for the Salaries of Soldiers – Soldiers in turn pay for it with their lives.” Just because they signed up for the job does not make them lambs to be led to the slaughter nor does it make them disposable. Let us honor them with more than “share” – “Like” – or posts. Lets campaign for better treatment and funding because when they die for country it is the ultimate sacrifice, not a gamble.

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I’m sure Roy Cimatu has more than enough challenges on the table as far as being DENR Secretary is concerned, but I can’t help wondering how he would react to the “Boracay Challenge” given the fact that Boracay island is now the equivalent of an island full of environmental violations. There was a time when anyone putting up a resort or hotel was required to submit an Environmental Impact study in order to get an Environmental Compliance Certificate or ECC. But now from the looks of it, all that has been disregarded or bought off.

Anyone entering Boracay will immediately see tons of environmental violations from wall to wall buildings, no proper drainage, garbage, concrete runoffs, disturbance of natural grades of land and excessive human and motorized traffic. To be fair, the DILG should also be challenged to answer how on earth so many of the buildings and businesses on the island are literally side by side with no fire walls or in violation of fire or building codes. Yes I saw sprinklers inside some hotels but if a fire breaks out in the middle of the strip, chances are at least half of the buildings will burn. Officials at the Bureau of Fire ought to check and make sure that we don’t experience the horizontal equivalent of what happened in London this month. While they are at it, they should counter-check on the approvals that their local officers gave even when certain structures are in violation of code.

As I mentioned in my previous column, it is ironic that the DENR once removed shacks and Nipa huts along the beach but has now been cordoned off and taken over by the different bars, hotels and restaurants who now use what was suppose to be “open/public space.” Now all of that space is used for beachside dining in the evening and sun decks in the day. While original settlers were displaced, commercial establishments “squat” on the beach and require you to buy food or drinks in order to use their space and their chairs by the beach! Some people are obviously making money; the question is who? Perhaps it’s about time Congress pays Boracay a visit and see for themselves and also take the “Boracay Challenge” of saving “The most beautiful island/beach in the world.”

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