Two programs the mayor must do in 2014

The October 15, 7.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated some portions of my birth province of Bohol and the November 8, super typhoon Yolanda that wrecked many Visayan points in Leyte, Samar and here in our province of Cebu may not, with God's blessings, recur in our lifetime. If natural disasters could be charted by their historical occurrences, the recent quake and the typhoon, in their disastrous rage, may not hit our islands again for a hundred years more.  But this is not enough reason for government, both local and national, to postpone making preparations for similar catastrophes nor for leaders to be complacent.

Before the year closes, let me try to enumerate two things, of a probably long wish list that, in my personal estimation, needed to be addressed by the most visionary of leaders in the fondest of hopes that some of those holding positions of power and influence may contemplate on their importance, need and perhaps, validity, during the Christmas holidays. Who knows that when the new year comes, they will put one or two of these items on their priority list of things to do.

1. Soon after the honorable Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, took the reins of the city government, he was upbeat on clearing the easements along the city's major rivers and esteros. Apparently, he was afraid of floods. While previous administrations did not want to jeopardize their political dalliance with a vast multitude of informal settlers with a huge voting clout, the new mayor had a different view. He envisioned removing the illegal structures that clearly inhibited the free flow of water. As he risked the ire of affected homeowners, he knew that the greater number who would be spared from perennial flood problems would see his point. If it was a gambit, it was good.

The mayor's enthusiasm was infectious such that even those who were initially apprehensive got convinced that the idea had come. The solution to the continuing threat of floodwaters was, to those who did intrude into the river easements, as simple as obeying the law.  Dredge the river bed, widen the banks and get rid of structures that impede the flow of waters became the mayor's call.

On the other hand, there were those who entertained the thought that their pretense of poverty was the very shield to protect them from the perceived harshness of the law. Claiming that they had nowhere else to build their homes on, they argued that the mayor had no right to evict them from the land they usurped from the public. Since the posture of the mayor was, for them, a bitter pill, they leveled a suit against the mayor. Because the mayor only did what was legally correct, the court had eventually to rule in his favor, never mind if a powerful politician, who chose to hide his identity. Backed the complainants up.

2. The Cebu City Medical Center is a sanctuary of some kind. Serving as it does the medical needs of those who have less in life, this has become the place poor people seek medication from. It is true that some, maybe many, of its equipment may not be at par with the best in the world, but the ordinary citizen who does not even have three square meals a day, finds this hospital most comforting.

When Mayor Rama assumed office, his intention to improve the services of the hospital was never in doubt. The position he took was averse to that of his predecessor, former Congressman Tomas R. Osmeña, who, if people recall, would rather sell the institution than admit patients into his wards.

The October tremor rendered the hospital building unsafe. Instead of being fazed by the calamity, the mayor wants to seize the threshold of the disaster and convert it into an opportunity. His vision of a better hospital can no longer be inhibited by the antiquated structure. Nature makes it a necessity for the city to erect a new hospital, equipped with whatever the best medical centers in the world can provide.

Pushing these two projects require huge funding. The leaders who want to pursue these dreams will find a way to source the money, but those oppose the idea will raise all possible obstacles to block the programs. I hope that the spirit of Christmas will help enlighten all concerned.