Reversing course as damage control

There have been efforts by politicians, in a bid to “listen to the people,” to reverse the Senate bill proposing to rename Del Monte Avenue to Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue. Interestingly, there was a House version of the bill—and it doesn’t require rocket science to figure out who introduced it, although it is fair to say that this is no longer being pursued.

Efforts have now shifted toward choosing another thoroughfare to be renamed as FPJ Avenue. This is a relief. This is listening to the people—but it is seen more as damage control.

To put things in perspective, imagine planning to go on a leisure trip at this time. Informing your parents you’ve already decided to go is different from asking their permission to allow you to go. It is the same as the people being “informed” that it had already been decided that Del Monte Avenue would be renamed—without consulting them. Then when it turned out this was not what the people wanted, the question became: “So if you don’t want Del Monte, give us a different thoroughfare, but we’ve got to put the name there!”

While efforts are now being focused on looking for a suitable replacement, families are starving, children are unable to go to school, and the economy is shrinking. This is what happens when a policy doesn’t satisfy the Rotary’s Four-Way Test:

1) Is it the truth?

2) Is it fair to all concerned?

3) Will it build goodwill and better friendship?

4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The answer is clear.

Dave Edward P. Jandusay