The RDC, before the EDSA Revolt, did not allow private sector participation; this changed after the EDSA Revolt where private sector representatives (PSRs) were allowed to participate, coming from non-government organizations or "civil society." Let me proudly say it here that the PSRs, especially in Region VII and the Calabarzon, are what make the RDC so effective and dynamic. That’s because the PSRs are elected from the NGOs and civil society. But mostly, it is because PSRs cannot be cowed or ordered around by government officials.
Let me point out very clearly that PSRs’ participation in the RDCs doesn’t make them government officials! They are not paid a single centavo in salaries or wages, but get only a minimal honorarium, which often is less than what they spend to attend RDC meetings.
Want to know what PSRs get from being with the RDCs? Actually, it is the satisfaction that we can make a difference in our respective regions; after all, our votes are equal to the vote of a mayor or governor of a region. It also comes from the satisfaction of being able to serve our country without necessarily becoming a government functionary. This is what true People Power is all about… that everyone has a stake in his own region and our country.
Want to know what drives the PSRs? It is the spirit of volunteerism best epitomized in the inaugural speech of the late US President John F. Kennedy when he said, "And so my friends, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!" The trouble with most Filipinos is that they are too highly politicized and think that it is only through government officials that the country’s problems could be solved. The PSRs are a huge help if only they come forward and do it for God and country!
PSRs often end up in obscurity… like what happened to my good friend, Dr. Eliezear "Ike" Wong, who used to be a committee chairman and RDC co-chairman. But he is no longer in the limelight. PSRs can also be tapped to handle top government positions and I’m referring to Atty. Jesus "Sonny" Garcia Jr., publisher of SunStar Daily who was once the RDC chairman (the RDC chairman may come from the ranks of PSRs, which then makes the co-chairman come from the government sector) and later he was appointed as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) under President Fidel V. Ramos.
PSRs can help in nation-building without necessarily following political party lines. I have been a PSR in Region VII for the past 20 years and we have done our share of helping our nation grow. That is satisfaction that money certainly cannot buy. So allow me to congratulate all the PSRs who are in Cebu City right now for their very first national convention.
"Dear Mr. Avila, I read your article about your trip to Zamboanga City. You must have been the bikers we saw that early Sunday morning at the Caltex gasoline station. We were the two people in motocross gear filling up that morning and were wondering who was that group with the big bikes. Danny Lopez is a good friend of mine. I am so glad that you gave Zamboanga City some good reviews.
"I am originally from Manila and decided to stay here in Zamboanga City when the family corporation requested me to handle its affairs here. In fact I recently married a Zamboangueña two years ago and I don’t intend to return to Manila anymore. Even our politics in the city is not violent considering that our city is considered dangerous from Manila’s viewpoint. Because of your article, my wife and I will be going to Cebu via the route you took by vehicle sometime in the last week of May. Take care and more power to you. Ricardo manzanoricardo@yahoo.com"
Another e-mail came from Chef Jerry Jazul (<paojam36@yahoo.com), a Masbateño working in Darwin, Australia who likes to read the Philstar.com website every day. He was thankful to the people behind this website. He merely asked me to elaborate why Zamboanga City is now called "Asia’s Latin City," instead of the "City of Flowers."
Again in answer to that, it is because of the unique language called "Chabacano" that Zamboangueños speak, as it is very unique in Asia. The only other city I know that speaks a Latin language is Macau, which is Portuguese, but I don’t know if the Macau folk speak fluent Portuguese or if their language has become a mixed one like Chabacano. As far as the City of Flowers is concerned… we really didn’t get to see a lot of flowers during our trip, this is why I concur with Mayor Celso Lobregat’s move to change the slogan.
While we gave Zamboanga City good reviews, it doesn’t mean to say that they have licked all the problems that stymie its growth and development. While I was there, I went to the pier to see the vessels crossing from the Zamboanga harbor to Basilan Island through roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessels which have been the backbone program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).
However, I learned from drivers that the Navy or the Coast Guard personnel assigned to the port still get their customary tatak. The RDC in Region VII fought against the ANCAR permits, that is why now cars and trucks can move from island to island in relative ease without any bureaucracy. But apparently these old habits have remained in Zamboanga. No wonder the Abu Sayyaf is still very strong there because the abusados of the government continue to milk the people who just want to make an honest living! I hope President Arroyo can take these corrupt people away from the ports!