Let there be debate on relevant issues in Mandaue

This is inspired by the challenge of Mandaue mayoralty candidate Jonkie Ouano to his opponents to focus on issues, instead of political mudslinging.

Okay, now, let’s ride along Jonkie’s dare and throw the gauntlet on his rivals namely councilor Jonas Cortes, VM Amadeo Seno, Jr., and former city councilor Magno Dionson who all aspire for the same position.

Here are some relevant issues for debate... At random now, putting aside the over-priced decor lampposts and multi-overpriced street lighting for the ASEAN Summit, Mandauehanons are interested to know about Mandaue’s financial status, first off.

Both Cortes and Dionson argue that the City’s finances are in the red, citing COA records, due to "excessive bank loan credits". A popular radio commentator also claims that adding the P379M DBP loan to "finish" the new market, Mandaue’s debts now total more than P1B.

The question is: Is it morally sound for a departing city mayor to burden not only incoming city officials, but more so, the non-consenting Mandauehanons now, and those still unborn, to a gigantic "utang" that the original debtor(s) are not in a position to pay? Corollarily, why can’t the P379M market loan await the outcome of the May mid-term elections, unless its prime movers are itching for the "fund" of it?

Another timely issue and still germane to the first... What happens now to the issue of overpayments of the salaries of VM Ading Seno and the 12 councilors, including Jonas Cortes and his VP candidate Glenn Bercede, amounting P6.19 M as of December 2005 yet? Or, the still unliquidated millions of cash advances, and those under suspensions?

Now don’t let Jonkie Ouano sidetrack the issue that he’s not directly concerned as yet. Remember, like it or not, you’re bound to answer for the "sins" of the administration you are obsessed to defend and take over. Neither is it a defense that his father-mayor had just recently issued an order for "recoup" of the overpayments. The fact remains that despite COA post-audit repeatedly made on over-payments, Mayor Thadeo Ouano only issued the order on February 5 for disallowance. The crux of the issue was the insistence of the VM and the city councilors to get paid the rate fixed for Step 8 of their salary grade as set in the guidelines for uniform salary standards of the approved position classification.

And you know what’s funny? VM Seno insists that disallowance of their salaries until fully liquidated is "illegal, immoral, and unfair". Funnier still is that Jonas Cortes and Bercede have been "outmaneuvered" by the majority councilors who support the mayor’s memo of disallowance. And so, it appears that both Cortes and Bercede are against the disallowance.

A third grave issue that the departing officialdom is turning deaf to the problems of environment and ecology. The Mandauehanons haven’t lost sight that the Butuanon River has long been a biologically dead water artery, for one; and, for another, there’s no relief to flooding during rainy season, except in upland barrios and sitios. Despite incessant reminders on the need to revive the Butuanon River with the city executive wielding a decisive hand, the latter preferred the non-effectual way through the barangay captains concerned. Result? Zilch!

As for drainage, only "paukyab" of proposed feasibility studies found announcement in print... It’s a must for those aspiring to lead Mandaue starting mid-year to play it out clearly what they intend to do along such environmental and ecological concerns.

A fourth issue which the administration is still accountable is on infrastructures, like, narrow and dilapidated roads in interior Mandaue, inadequate street lighting, inadequate traffic lights in intersections, lack of traffic management especially at night, among others.

Lastly, perhaps, could be the propensity of Mandaue which is touted as the Makati of the South in finances, to resort to borrowings even in small scale projects, like its "bagsakan" plan. Where, then, are the multi-millions in revenue?