Comment on the Blog

Barok has left a new comment on your post “Mayor Maming Denies Bandstand Demolition”:

The plan of the Mayor (Maming), if proven to be true is appalling and deplorable. The Town Plaza is a big part of our heritage. It is the centerpiece of Banga, and the main reason it won many awards for being the most “beautiful” in the country. It was not because of the roads, private houses, government buildings, market place or the Manduyog hill.

The overall design of the town plaza is ideal for a small town, and typical of the many beautiful old towns in the country. It is also similar to many old towns in South America that every country wants to preserve. In addition to the aesthetic and historical importance, it also has a sentimental value to many of us who have shared many cherished moments in that place during our youth.

To most of us, it may be the only sacred link to our past, the only place that can bring back good memories of our childhood. It may be the only place that will look familiar to most of us who have been away for a long time. In many parts of the world, there are agencies assigned to preserve or keep the original designs of the historic sites or buildings, if repairs are needed. Our country badly needs such an agency, if there is none in existence.

Mr. Maming should be remembered as the legendary figure that brought progress and significant improvement to Banga, not the infamous mayor who broke the heart and soul of our beloved town./MP

Comment on your “Entrepreneurial Farmer”:

It is good to learn that the good mayor categorically denied he will demolish the bandstand. As you reported he said the following:

1. He will improve it, make it more beautiful.
2. He will even construct a canteen.
3. He said to wait until he finished with the beautification project before those interested to give their criticism.

Let me respond point by point:

1. Improve. Make it more beautiful. These are all relative terms. Who defines the parameters to declare if the improvement is beautiful?
2. Construct a canteen. I hope there is an operations plan to maintain cleanliness in the place, at least the same as now. If we take the track record in cleanliness of eating places of LGUs, I am pessimistic if cleanliness can be maintained within the affordability of the Municipality of Banga.
3. Wait until it is finished. This is where the mayor is being challenged for transparency in governance. If what he has shown as improvements to be made are those seen on the drawings, then except for the roof, there are no changes in the bandstand. Where is the canteen he is talking about in the drawing? If those are not shown, then there are questions of Mayor Maming’s openness and transparency which will contribute to the lingering questions about the bandstand’s demolition/modification/changes.

We expect Mayor Maming to positively respond to these concerns as these are all for the greater good of Banga and also for his rightful and honorable place in the history of our town.

Mayad ayad nga Paskwa ag Malinong nga Bag ong Dag on sa Tanan.

Regards,
Elmar M. Gomez