Droning out my sorrows

THERE was a uniform look on almost all the faces we encountered as we waddled through a sea of humanity away from the event area: the mask of sheer disappointment. As the saying goes, all dressed up and nowhere to as to which direction to proceed next, was clearly discernible, while thousands slowly walked away from the clogged gate that led to the coastal road. The intent was obvious. Should we head back home? Walk to McDonald’s? Select or wherever? Clearly, the choice meant anywhere, just away from here. So, even as hundreds could still be seen trudging towards the gates, an equal number had slowly spread out in many different directions.

As for my partner and I, we had already half-expected a big letdown. For sure, crowds were sure to come a-callopened to mark the end of Covid restrictions, everything was a party from then on. It was open season for any crowded event, so to speak.

From a kilometer away, already pockets of people were steadily headed the same way we were as though on a pilgrimage. Because of that, we agreed on a plan B and it was simple: If all didn’t push through, we’ll just go get dinner instead, then get home safe, ‘away from the madding crowd’. In the end, while it may have been cool of us to have thought and done what we did, I was actually distracted, though I didn’t really show it.

Come Monday, which also happens to be my birthday, I was leaving the house early for an additional medical checkup and at the same time getting the results of heavily, even if compared to the thousand atoms of dis- appointments spread throughout the tiny length of highway that evening. I had then thought, what a way to spend a birthday, lying on a table in a clinic somewhere and worrying if they’ll ultra-sound an alien hiding in my tummy.

However, we actually did accomplish our Plan B. Despite the crowd inside a nearby Select diner, we enjoyed our rice meals and right after, hailed a cab for home. And then, as we neared the basketball gym inside our subdivision, the lights of a Ferris wheel shining from way above the trees, as if on cue, presented us with our Plan C. headed to the Perya and right away sampled out the games hit the bull’s eye and was promptly awarded with...a lapad of Tanduay rum. Though we didn’t have much luck in bring-home were more than enough to make us forget the early part of the evening. Who would have thought that two hours ago, we were miles away, paddling from waves of collective disappointment, and now only to discover fun was just at our very doorstep?

THE one issue that we have been taking up in this column for many, many times already but still not acted upon by the proper agencies of the local government of Davao City is the non-distribution of the garbage bins delivered to recipient rural barangays since three years ago.

For months now since the easing of restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we visited the barangays where we have seen the garbage bins delivered apparently by the City check whether these receptacles are still in the locations these were piled like in a secluded corner of the barangay covered courts, at the back of the barangay halls or on one end of the buildings housing the rural health units.

We are not mistaken. The garbage bins are still piled up with the pile mounds competing in height with tall grass varieties. And by all indications including the rather amunlikely that these bins will be distributed to areas where these are supposed to be located for the convenience of both the garbage-throwing public and the people contracted by the local government to collect the trash.

the reason/s why the bins are still piled in their lonesome a good three years since these were delivered by the local government, it looks like the garbage receptacles’ distribuBaste Duterte’s administration. Many are even afraid that the bins’ remaining piled like these are the garbage instead of the refuse’s depositories, which may even outlast Mayor Baste’s 3-year term.

We suspect though that because of the many responsibilities that the mayor has to attend to he may not be personally aware of this failure of his people at CENRO. Or there is the possibility that the issue is intentionally kept out of the young mayor’s knowledge so the ineptitude of those who are tasked with distributing the garbage bins will not be exposed. ***************************** personally support the such move if it is replicated in Davao City. The police admit that it is hard for them to solve crimes committed by persons whose faces are fully hidden by helmets that cover the entire head and face.

In Zamboanga City, there is a snowballing move to have the local government relax the implementation of a national law mandating motorcycle riders to wear helmets. This started after several killings were perpetrated in that Western Mindanao city by motorcycle-riding-helmetwearing gunmen. And like what is happening in the whole of the country, the police could hardly establish the identity/ ies of the suspects even if their criminal acts were captured by closed circuit television cameras.

Of course we agree that the objective of the law on the mandatory wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders is noble because it will ensure the safety of the riders from getting hurt or even the possibility of dying should they meet accident in the road.

Unfortunately, some people with criminal minds are taking advantage of the law by concealing their identities in the guise of complying with the legal mandate.

Our take on this matter though is for the government to suspend the implementation of the law and have it amended by Congress by introducing some additional features like the helmets to be used should not cover the face of the riders. Or, provisions like compelling helmet-wearing persons entering business establishments like banks, pawnshops,ment stores to take off the helmet and leave the same in a designated place at the entrance or exit doors.

We can be certain that such amendments to the helmet law will ensure that built-in safeguard are instituted so there will be no abuses done by those with criminal intentions.

We are challenging our city’s congressmen to rise up in the House and propose for the amendment of the law. They could end up heroes if they succeed in doing so.