I think some residents of barangay Labangon with its barangay chief Buendia should be reminded that the Cebu City mayor is responsible for the welfare and safety of the general public. That’s why he was justified in demolishing the center island put up by the barangay. That was a safety hazard for motorists.
I read a report that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) requested for its removal because not only was it illegally constructed, it was dangerous to the riding public.
Buendia objected to its demolition saying the mayor had earlier approved its construction. By ordering its demolition, however, the mayor acknowledged that he was wrong about it. Buendia still insists the concrete center island was needed for the installation of streetlights for illumination and to deter criminals who frequent the place.
I think other steps can be taken to promote peace and order such as installing streetlights on the sidewalks or fielding more barangay tanods or policemen to patrol the area. A problem can’t be solved with another problem.
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Last Saturday, at the Capitol Social Hall, the Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission celebrated Women’s Month with Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman as its guest speaker.
The PWC’s co-chairperson, the very active and proactive Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale gave the introduction and a report of the commission’s accomplishments under her able leadership. Gov. Jun Jun Davide welcomed participants with the line, “Man is indeed woman’s partner because a woman without a man is just a ‘wo’.”
Magpale gave a Powerpoint presentation showing PWC’s accomplishments the in 2013, including its successful rescue operations of children who are victims of abuse. Secretary Soliman in her speech emphasized the importance of the work of the PWC and congratulated the group for its success stories.
In fact, she announced her commitment and that of the DSWD to help fund the construction of a provincial women’s and men’s center.
Governor Davide matched that by offering a province-owned lot for the location. The province has long planned to have center to shelter victims of violence and other abuses. Over lunch we continued to discuss concerns of the provincial social service office. Soliman was very cooperative and suggested solutions to each of the concerns.
Two locations in Cebu City are being eyed for the center: one in Sudlon near the PDEA office and the other at barangay Kalunasan near Operation Second Chance.
Capitol officials will first conduct an ocular inspection before deciding which of the two areas will do. A center is indeed a welcome development. I’ve long been advocating the establishment of a men’s center. During PWC meetings, I would point out that the community has taken care of half of the problem when it comes to gender inequality but has forgotten to do something about the other half.
The emphasis is usually placed on having men punished for offenses they committed against women but after going to jail and serving out their sentence, they are released to their families, where the cycle of abuse continues.
Why?
Because the men never receive professional intervention in an attempt to rehabilitate them.
I envision a men’s center as an institution that would provide psychological, emotional and spiritual intervention for male abusers in the hope that when they rejoin their families, they would have been rehabilitated.
The commitment expressed by Secretary Soliman and the DSWD will make my dream become a reality.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Secretary Soliman, Vice Governor Magpale, Governor Davide, the PWC commissioners and all women of the good province of Cebu for the success of the celebration and the PWC’s mission.