Blog of the Month - How Can I Make Butuan a Better Place to Live in?

Boasting its claim "In the beginning, there was no Philippines but there was Butuan," our city is said to have existed long before other famous places in this country emerged.

At present, where is Butuan? Geographically, it still exists. Economically, it is in limbo.

Though I don't possess any drop of Butuanon blood, I still love the city where I was born, grew up and got a degree and I want it to improve. That love made me come up to write this entry.

To begin with, Butuan is a nice place to live in. That is why we used the word "better" to stress out that it's already a good place - not so polluted, simple, quiet, smooth traffic, food aren't expensive, peaceful. It's too peaceful that the city becomes dead at 8 p.m. when Gaisano Mall is already closed. I want it to be better because there will be no other place where I could imagine myself retiring and raise a family except Butuan City.

In "The Art of War," the success and defeat of a team depends on who leads it and it's a fact that we are losing. The economy hasn't improved. Yes, there are some establishments that have arrived, bridges and highways were constructed, the city hall looks new, but those are worthless to be boasted on. They are not enough. I believe that this city could be a lot better if people would be wise enough in choosing its leader. But since the Plaza's are dominating this place and I don't think they have plans on stopping from doing so, it is better to invite a triggerman to gundown all, as in all of them so that their regime will be put to stop, for good. This step is far more humane and realistic than singling out some people who keep on voting for them and let them choke to death in the gas chamber. At least, in this way, we could lose a race of crocodile-pig who constantly gain weight from the Butuanon's hard-earned money.

Secondly, the Local Government Unit should take the tax system of the city into consideration. For how many years, the biggest investor that penetrated so far is only Gaisano. Pepsi plant has closed, Coca-Cola has backed out, Lim Ket Kai and SM have been put to hold and are heard to totally back out. How many millions have we lost because of it? How many citizens lost their jobs and how many more could have been employed if some other establishments were opened? Butuan has a very vast area of unused soil and with the kind of climate that city has and the quality of its soil, I think having some buildings built in it could be the best thing to be done instead of making them as agricultural land.

It is good to observe that the squatters along the Agusan River have already been relocated. At least, those eye sores have already been gone. What needs to be done here is to make some recreational parks along the river bank and make it look like Roxas Boulevard. If I would be rich enough, I would put up a restaurant at the Freedom Park.

Lea Salonga said in her recent blog that an airport gives the first impression of a place. Sadly for Butuan, it gives a very terrible first impression of the city. Once the plane sets its wheel, people have the feeling that the runway isn't concrete at all. Quoting the "Philippine Dragonfly:"

plane at Bancasi Airport in Butuan was the roughest Tutubi has had possibly due to the short runway of the airport. The plane felt like it slammed on the runway as if it skidded before taxying to the terminal.

I thought it's already improved after it closed for almost a month due to its rehabilitation. What happened? Maybe it needs to be rehabilitated again, and this time, make sure that the amount budgeted for its improvement would surely go to the project itself and not to somebody else's dining table.

Fifth, I strongly suggest a weeklong seminar and workshop on proper customer service to all employees of government and private companies in the city. They really don't know how to value and treat the primary reason of their existence as employees of their offices - the customers. I've had several bad experiences with them since childhood and I don't want the next generation to experience the same things that I've had with them. The last time I've had was with that city hall employee who kept on reprimanding and shouting at the people who were processing their business license. I've told her to read the credo written on their office wall and reminded her that they are not giving us a favor, instead, we are the reasons why their families are still being fed until now.

Lastly, I really think that Butuan could be a lot better if the laws have to be strictly enforced. What happened to the anti-littering and anti-smoking (in public vehicles) policies? If Puerto Princesa and Davao Cities were able to do it, why can't we? I could remember a symposium we've had in high school when then City Councilor Angie Calo said that it's difficult to impose our laws because there are only a few policemen. What a great alibi! Then why do they keep on making laws if that's the case?

As the slogan of the city aptly says, "Historic Butuan: Ato Kini, Kadyawon 'Ta (This is Ours, Let's Treat it Well)," let's better take good care of it. Aside from its historical claims, we don't have anything more to boast - no good tourist spot, no gimmick places, no other else except a city hall (that I don't even understand why we have to take the elevator to go to the basement) and a new bridge that looks like the Golden Gate. I hope that Butuan could grow and develop itself into something more than a prehistoric place, make it a better place to live in by me and my future family.

See also:

Joanna's Blog of the month

Janice's Blog of the Month