QC’s fuel response

I chanced upon a comment on Facebook where someone said, “Quezon City always does it first.” As a QCitizen and someone who, like many others, feel that forward thinking is always the most pro- active response one can make especially in a crisis, I not only feel a sense of pride but also a sense of security.

We have often said that national security is not only about preparedness in readying our able forces to defend the people from insurgency or outside harassment but rather, national security as a whole includes the ability to secure basic necessities that allow communities to thrive in relation to our economy. From the very beginning, Quezon City has not only stepped up in providing relief but more so, it has given the most hard-hit members of our communities the chance to get back on their feet in the middle of a pandemic.

As a leader, it matters much to think about all the other incidents that may happen next. We have literally “rolled” from one challenge to another yet, the ability to anticipate what may happen in the future reflects a kind of intelligence that hits home – literally. In the first year of COVID-19, I will never forget how Mayor Joy Belmonte and I sat together in her office. Coincidentally, it was also my son’s birthday, with a celebration that was cut short in order for me to stand by my city mayor, marking the beginning of our journey in the most uncertain of times.

Two years later, and last March 15 of this year, and once again on her birthday, Mayor Joy Belmonte pressed on by distributing fuel vouchers to the first batch of eligible Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) to help mitigate the consecutive price increases of fuel. This initiative was done while awaiting the fuel subsidy from national government. As an urgent response demonstrated by our good mayor, who considers this sector as one of the most important drivers in our city, the fuel subsidy which was recently passed in an ordinance will be distributed in voucher form by the QC Task Force for Transport and Traffic Management through the city’s Tricycle Regulatory Division.  On top of this, and I must add, Mayor Belmonte also encouraged our residents to avail of the Q City Bus System in order to save on fuel.

Transportation and mobility as we know is important in sustaining daily work routines as well as promote livelihood opportunities. It is also vital in emergency situations and therefore must be accessible to the public. Forward thinking on the part of the QC LGU with regard to the fuel crisis is a response that provides insurance for the future. Good governance is good planning and it includes planning ahead, even for the worst possible scenarios as well as best practices from lessons learned.

Thinking in a manner that takes the future into account is a progressive response and a good leader will and should always be able to map out the necessities while looking into the future. Simply put, a good response sees the bigger picture and a good plan helps us connect the dots. Onward and forward QC!