I hope that I may not be misunderstood in saying that Cebuanos have a better way of doing things. You may call it Cebuano brag but I can say it with some fair dosage of historical fact. For instance, when Magellan came to this part of the world, he must have been impressed by what he saw in our land. Why would he enter into a friendly relationship with Rajah Humabon, if the latter did not show a degree of leadership worth the European navigator's respect? Cebu might not have been as developed compared to his adopted country then, but certainly it should have looked more vibrant than the other parts of the world Magellan landed on his way to our shores.
Presently, our cities maybe smaller when ranged against those in the National Capital Region, but our vibrancy appears to be on a higher etch than those in Metro Manila. The plausible explanation rests in the Cebuano blood. Our leaders are more visionary and our people more energetic.
Having said that, I ask our catalysts to continue blazing the way. Cebuano leaders need to keep our forward stride because to me, there is a condition obtaining in the rest of the country that indicates we are not progressing. Some extreme positions taken by many in diverse issues prevent us from taking forward steps. I do not know if I should call it a stupor or what.
The incarceration of Sen. Leila de Lima, the re-appearance before the senate (and on national television) of a self-confessed leader of the Davao Death Squad, the plunge of the value of the peso against the dollar, the divisive vote on the re-imposition of the death penalty are issues that plague our country.
The Cebuano leader's mind is better. Rather than being derailed by these conflicting issues, our leaders' perceptions should be able to discern what is needed to move forward.
1. Traffic. It will not be difficult for the mayors of our cities and municipalities to sit down with the provincial governor and re-engineer our province. The improvement of traffic should be their primary goal because it is the most pestering problem. Our traffic woes actually stunt our productivity.
Cebuano leadership can persuade our congressmen to sponsor a bill reducing the number of vehicles on the road. There are just too many vehicles, many of which are beyond their economic life, using too narrow roads. While that suggested legislative measure takes time, our local leaders can also plan road networks that connect the adjacent cities and municipalities with a freeway concept. How many highways really connect Naga-Minglanilla-Talisay-Cebu-Mandaue-Consolacion as if these are planned carefully?
2. Garbage. The cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu do not have the kind of landfill that approximates health requirements. Independently of each other, they will find the cost of operating a solid waste disposal system burdensome. But if they pool their resources together, they can identify an ideal location and operate it with great savings.
3. Investment, employment and housing. Can you imagine if our leaders decide to distribute among their localities the kinds of industries that their places can handle? Harmony will prevail. Inhabitants will find where to focus their efforts on. Industrialists will know where to put their investments. Housing can be rationalized.
Now that the country is, in the words of a national paper, "a nation divided", let our Cebuano spirit surge ahead. We can do this if our leaders agree to confer with one another at the soonest possible time and resolve to move ahead.