As a resident of Makati for 40 years, my family recognizes the gains of the premier city under the watch of now Vice President Jejomar Binay.
In “Binay touts his popularity in campaign stop” (Inquirer, 4/21/13), Vice President Binay’s remarks about a “new kind of politics… a kind of politics that understands governance” may not suit this aging senior citizen well at the present moment. Why?
We need to elaborate with due respect. For nearly 20 long years, we suffered terribly when hordes of trailer trucks and truck heads were tolerated, at first, to use a street as parking lot, and later to turn a lot into a terminal-garage—both inside a community clearly defined in a city ordinance as a residential zone. The behemoths’ noise were unbearable day in, day out and, worse, the deadly diesel fumes and black soot were obnoxious, wafting into the residents’ homes and posing a recognized, indisputable danger to one’s health. Thankfully we appear to be okay.
On a personal note, my parents, who were permanent residents in the United States in the twilight years of their lives, on a rare reunion found our surroundings unwholesome. We felt very sad. They returned abruptly, never to know that the trucks were gone years after they left. Back then, we were helpless, frustrated. We did our best to call the local officials’ attention endlessly. Pages of the Philippine National Police station blotter were full, yes just full! A basic clause in the ordinance was not implemented for nearly two decades. A noted observer remarked: “The residents’ plight illustrates what can happen to a community when its members are unable to unite and give voice to local concerns, and the local (even national) government chooses to ignore their feeble protests.”
Fearfully but as a last option, we changed course and directed our complaints to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board. The rest is history. The franchise was canceled! But we had suffered—in the best years of our lives when we were still in our prime, and such youth will never return in our lifetime. We may be biased but remain optimistic and look forward to the “new kind of politics” espoused by our candidates in the past May 2013 elections and beyond. This way we will be in a position to trust without reservation our elected officials. Please do not fail us … this time.
—MANUEL Q. BONDAD,
manuelbondad@yahoo.com