Transparency is not an issue here but ignorance

The sense of transparency in most local government offices has been one of the sources of several pressing issues that need to be put into top priority of local government leaders. When President Benigno Aquino III assumed office, the concern of putting transparency into a precedence has somewhat elevated. But this does not generally imply that we are finally freed from the shackles of graft and corruption.

After Vice Mayor Arvin Antoni gave his annotation on the budge of the city government to borrow funds in alleviating the flooding problem of the city, Councilor Jerry Yaokasin challenged the Mayor Alfred Romualdez to be transparent in all its finances. Councilor Yaokasin must have been very concerned in the financial management of the city government that he challenged the city mayor and his executive staff to be open to the public. The issue on transparency and the vice mayor’s annotation regarding borrowing of funds all boil down to their off beam feeling of distrust at how the existing city government utilizes the money that slips through and out of the city treasury.

There is no issue of opacity with regards of the city government’s financial management. In fact, the city government has been publicizing the city’s financial statement outside the Kanhuraw Business Center since 2008 and up to date. The councilor must have been engrossed to his dealings that he fails to visit the developing Kanhuraw Business Center we have in the city.

It should not only be the councilor who must not be ignorant on this but the entire constituency of the city government. This is a responsibility that must be embodied by the people. Doubt is mitigated if we are not ignorant to what is happening around us. It also lessens the growing petty issues with regards the city government.

This is a result if we do not have a united local government unit. Because of philosophical differences driven by personal opinions and urges, we get to have pathetic leaders who should have been standing side by side with the city mayor in fighting partiality and injustice. But, look at what we got after the election. Everyone has got to embody essential roles in order to grow and develop as a strong community. This does not only point out to our city leaders but to the people of Tacloban as well. But how can we achieve these aspirations if the city government does not get enough support from its constituents in enacting city programs that will help alleviate societal problems? These are just small things that when put into action will yield to larger beneficial effects especially to the people of Tacloban City.

Some would not understand this, especially those who are driven with guilt.

By: Deeday A. Cairo

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