Long-term vision in Gordon’s SB 3428 Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 08, 2009
THE news stories on Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s bolting the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) practically “flooded” the front pages of newspapers and prime time news broadcasts. But what’s the big fuss about Chiz? It was as if we lost a leader because of his resignation from the NPC. And it’s even doubtful if he really has what it takes to become a good president.
On the other hand, there was hardly any story about Senate Bill 3428 which seeks to develop Laguna de Bay along the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) model—although the Inquirer had a story about the bill on page 8 of the paper’s Oct 29 issue.
Proposed by Sen. Richard Gordon, the bill, if passed, would be a positive step toward effectively addressing the country’s current crisis: where to relocate some 2.7 million Metro Manilans to safer grounds; how to address the health needs of 163,000 displaced people who continue to stay in evacuation centers and to provide them with livelihood; and how to check the spread of leptospirosis that has already claimed 175 lives and continues to afflict hundreds of others.
According to United Nations experts, a program to relocate the 2.7 million typhoon victims will take 10 years to implement at a cost of P130 billion. Chiz is worried about 2010 only. Senator Gordon’s vision goes farther by 10 years.
—MAURO GIA SAMONTE II, Block 5, 125 Primrose St., Capitol Park Homes, Caloocan City
