By Ben Contreras
THE common question asked of a government employee on whether he is effective or not is, can he deliver?
Edwin Dael would have opted for the City Agriculture Office but the appointing power put him at the office of Clenro. Can he deliver? At one point, this question was reportedly asked of him.
As member of Sulog, even prior to the organization of this group, Edwin has already been battling for the protection of our mountains against illegal logging and mining due to the destruction of agricultural farms.
Clenro had practically been a non-performing office during the previous administration since the city officials themselves have been rumored to be actively involved in the illegal activities. It was a time when money changed hands that even lowly barangay officials were able to buy luxury vehicles and homes in posh subdivisions.
Initially, a reluctant Edwin was lost, not knowing where to begin until he discovered that all he had to do was simply to follow what his heart dictated. I call that sincerity in the performance of duty.
The decision of Mayor Oscar Moreno to convene the City Mining Regulatory Board was a boost to the Clenro office. The appointment of Ralph Abragan representing Sulog adds more strength to the Board. Ralph is the person most difficult to deal with. Those who have bad motives see him as a stumbling block.
Dael and Abragan have become a team not feared but respected by those who wish to do business the honest way. Along the way, they also get the ire of those who want nothing but to shortcut the process. Threats are now part of their daily life.
Why Clenro has been making successes after successes can be attributed to the leadership of Dael and the cooperation of his team, coupled with he support of CMRB member Abragan whose dedication to his given task can be measured by the time he spent with it and the personal resources put into the job without the benefit of reimbursement. Of course, this has to stop. It’s unfair to Abragan.
Last Saturday, supposedly a non-working day, the two were on a trip to Baungon, Bukidnon to investigate whether we, the people of Cagayan de Oro City, are supplied with clean and safe drinking water.
Baungon has the best water irrigation system I have even seen. If I got it right, the Bubunawan River supplies the water of this system. Rio Verde is said to source its water from this river also.
The committee led by Councilor Zaldy Ocon that investigated the issue of water toxicity was not convinced by the statements of Rio Verde which prompted Dael and Abragan to conduct more investigation.
Aided by a guide who also till a farm nearby, the investigation brought them to an unfinished pipe connection made parallel to the irrigation system, unfinished because the agreement between the land owner has not been fully satisfied.
The water of Lapinigan River joins the water of Bubunawan River at the area where Cepalco’s mini-dams (some do not agree calling the structures as dams) were destroyed by Sendong. The view is really magnificent that it should not be polluted. But the water that we saw was colored deep blue and some light blue. In some areas, a little brownish. Although there was slight indication of contamination, I will leave it to the Clenro to make the report.
I would like to stress the point that if only our government agencies would be too willing to take the extra mile by working even on weekends, much could be accomplished and public service given more meaning.
Kudos to the two gentlemen. They are assets of the Moreno administration.
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I found a new definition for the word “friendship.” It is clearly defined by the attitude of a few rich and mighty people that when you want to be their friend, you have to be very careful on what you write, never to hurt their feeling or say anything wrong against their businesses.
Well, thank you very much! I can say without batting an eyelash that I have defended these people because the issues were defensible in their favor.
I guess it is best to live with your peers than with kings and princes who are wont to make you their subjects.
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Annabel Sia celebrated her birthday on Monday, Feb. 10, 2014. Like Nelson Chang, she would also like to share something for those in need. She donated two cartons of coffee for the victims of the landslide in Malasag. Thank you, Bel. God bless you.
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For those who still use commemorative plates, be informed that “Operation Baklas” would be undertaken soon. These commemorative plates should not be used in place of the regular plates.
Further, the regular plates should not be covered with any object, be it dim or clear plastic covers. During the operations, drivers of vehicles will be asked to remove the covers on the spot. Refusal would mean a citation.
Make sure you carry with you the necessary tools/s to remove the covers. Please be guided accordingly.
The seatbelt law will also be strictly enforced. Please help spread the word.