Ricky Poca
Last Monday’s State of the Nation Address by President Rodrigo Duterte, his second, drew high expectations from the millions of Filipinos who want to know about his plans for Mindanao, his economic policies and the war on illegal drugs, among others.
What was surprising was the President’s extended monologue on the mining industry and his warning to them to either shape up or “be taxed” heavily for their neglect of the environment.
The President, like his former environment secretary Gina Lopez, was clearly disappointed over the destruction wrought by mining firms on the environment with their wanton extraction of minerals.
Mr. Duterte’s reminder to mining firms to repair the damage they caused on the environment and provide for the poor who were dislocated by their mining activities is most timely and welcome.
In the Philippines, money talks and mining companies had their way when they lobbied for and successfully pushed aside Lopez through some members of the Commission on Appointments.
If they don’t repair the damage, the President warned that he will tax them to pay for their neglect of the environment.
The President’s meeting with militants who insisted on peace talks drew a favorable response from the public, with netizens supporting Mr. Duterte’s decision to cancel the talks until the communists show good faith by stopping their attacks.
The communists through their New People’s Army (NPA) have not shown any intention to reciprocate the government’s gesture to open talks and responded with violence. On that front, I support the President’s decision.
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I am elated that there is so much talk and discussion on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Cebu City, but I guess it’s time to end the debate if only to allow the project to continue.
I join the others in welcoming both the BRT and the Light Railway Transit (LRT) in Cebu City and the province because I believe we deserve both.
Cebu is the center of trade and industry in Central Visayas, and we need an effective mass transport system.
With these two projects plus the third Cebu Mactan bridge, I foresee promising growth for Cebu.
I also like the idea of shifting our system of government from the present unitary to a federal form of government where local governments can be empowered to craft our own budget and solve our problems rather than rely too much on the national government.
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The other week was especially sad for the Poca family because my father’s younger sister Neria Lim Tamayo passed away in the US due to a lingering illness.
Tita Neria has been in and out of the Philippines bringing and heading medical missions for the poor. Tita Neria will always be remembered as an unselfish person who basically loved her relatives and she will be missed so much by us.