EDITORIAL - In deep trouble comes big help

The people of Compostela owe Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia one. The governor stepped up to the plate on their behalf when it became clear that they needed direct assistance at this time when no elected officials are on hand to take care of their needs.

Compostela has remained leaderless since the election of 2010 when the Comelec nullified the proclamation of the winning candidates on the basis of a protest filed by the loser, claiming fraud.

The nullification raised a lot of eyebrows since the more prudent thing to do would have been to allow the proclaimed winners to sit, without prejudice to the outcome of the protest. If the protest turns out later to have merit, the Comelec can then order a turnover of seats.

Of course that is easier said than done. But that is another story. The real gain, had the Comelec acted prudently, would have been for the people of Compostela to continue enjoying the services and leadership that are rightfully theirs to enjoy, instead of being so deprived.

As it is now, Compostelanhons have effectively been leaderless since 2010. Caretakers appointed by the DILG can only perform largely symbolic functions. Through no fault of their own, they might as well be called misapplied cosmetics.

It thus came as a great relief last Tuesday when the governor called all 17 barangay captains in Compostela to a meeting at the Capitol and, after hearing them out on their concerns, sent them home with money for a variety of purposes for their barangays.

Each barangay captain got close to half-a-million pesos for health and day care center concerns, socio-cultural projects, and for barangay hall improvements. Garcia likewise ordered the conduct of simultaneous medical and social welfare activities in the barangays on February 1.

She also promised road repairs and cement supplies, as well as eight Multicabs to those barangays that do not have them yet. In other words, she lifted a great weight from the shoulders of Compostelanhons, and most especially the barangay captains.

Without an entire set of municipal officials, it is the barangay captains who have kept any semblance of governance going. Thank God that, with a national government oblivious to their plight, Governor Gwen stepped into the void to arrest Compostela’s further slide.