Friendly Observer
By Arthur Keefe
Can
it be true? It is reported that the local chief of police has in effect
declared San Carlos City proper exempted from the safety law requiring the use
of crash helmets on motorcycles.
His
justification is that helmets can be used to hide the face of criminals
entering the city to steal and rob. In fact, this is rare here and much more
common in Manila. Surely if the safety of the people is to be discarded for
this compelling reason, this should apply nationwide, not in this small
relatively peaceful area. Maybe Mr. Tuzon is just finding an excuse for the
long time neglect of this area of law enforcement. How many motorcyclists have
been killed or suffered head injuries in San Carlos in the past year? How many
full-faced motorcyclist robberies have been there? Let's have the facts.
The college
Another
matter of considerable interest to people in San Carlos is the prospect of a
large shipbuilding operation setting up here. A big impediment to this much
needed development which has the potential to create thousands of jobs, way in
excess of the ethanol plant, is the lack of skilled workers.
Of the
many thousands needed, the city has identified only a few hundred living here
and, no doubt, many of them already have jobs as welders, mechanics, etc. The
answer is for the city to invest in a rapid build-up of a skilled population
not moved in from elsewhere (as has been proposed), but by training local
people.
Some can
be trained on the job, but preparatory courses in the required skills could be
established quickly in the city.
Does the
city recognize the benefits of offering such local training? It seems not. Last
year a scheme to provide an extension of North Negros College (based in Sagay)
was put forward. It had the support of the College and of the Department of
Education. The principal of the national high school here was very enthusiastic
and was prepared to make the school buildings available in the evenings. The
decision to proceed or not was left to the city's Education Committee. They
refused it, citing wear and tear on the buildings and the possible impact on
the private colleges in the city.
This,
despite the fact that of the 500 graduates of the high school each year, only a
quarter continues in further education of any kind, and the subjects to be
offered would not compete with local colleges.
It is my
understanding that the Education Committee includes an owner of one college and
two people who teach in separate colleges.
Did these
three people declare a financial interest and absent themselves from the
discussion and decision as the Codes require? We would like to know.
In any
event, is it the role of the Council to promote the public interest or to
protect vested interests? The answer is obvious.
With the
opportunity presented by the shipyard proposal, the urgency to establish a
state funded college is much greater. It is time to revisit the extension
college proposal, perhaps is a revised form and to provide a benefit for all
the people of the city.
The road
Finally, I
will continue to post my reflections on the snail like program of the
concreting of the road to Santa Ana. Some progress to report: My views are only
snapshots, but this week I passed six people with shovels, leveling the base on
a small part. I also counted over 20 "workers" either standing and
watching or sitting in the shade. It was the same when I paused a few hours
later.
The
following day, more than half of the workers were leveling the base. Progress
indeed.
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