EDITORIAL - Public funds must be spent wisely

In case you have not noticed, they are tearing up sidewalks in several parts of the city. By they is meant either the government or its contractors. Now, it is good to see government in action. Government in action often means the public interest is served. And when such action involves public works, that often means people's taxes are being put to good use.

But wait, some of the sidewalks that are being torn up are either in perfect condition or have not been used for the purpose they were built. A perfect example of sidewalks being torn up that are still in perfect order or have not been used for the purpose they were built are those found along Happy Valley Road which connects V. Rama Avenue in Guadalupe and Salvador Extension in Labangon.

These sidewalks are made up of concrete bricks and they are all still in perfect condition. Only some portions of these sidewalks are being used by pedestrians but some portions have been overgrown by grasses. They are now starting to tear up these sidewalks. If the purpose is to improve or repair them, then that is an awful waste of public funds.

There is no need to improve or repair these sidewalks because they are still in perfect condition. On the other hand, why is there a need to improve or repair some portions of them when they have never been used at all, whether by pedestrians or otherwise. Is the government spending for their improvement or repair solely for the sake of spending?

Other sidewalks in other parts of the city are also being torn up, apparently for the same reason. But while these sidewalks are clearly being used, they are, on the other hand, not in a state that requires improvement or repairs. Many of these sidewalks, busy as they are, are clearly still in very good, if not perfect, condition. So why the need to spend for repairs and improvements? Is this also just for the sake of spending?

There is always something about spending that makes government, or those who are in government, so eager to spend. And it is not just because the money is not theirs. People do not mind paying taxes to enable government to have money to spend. But the people's money, in the form of taxes, has to be spent wisely. And it has to be for the greater good.

Spending money for the repair and improvement of something that does not require either is an unnecessary expense, regardless of whether the money spent is private or public. Money is hard to come by as it is. It must be put to prudent use. And if it is public money, the government must do everything to guard it against misuse, or worse, being stolen.