The raging issue behind the recent fire that razed structures by informal settlers under the twin bridges in Bolton all boils down to public accountability.
Every employee in the government service would not miss public accountability as it is an integral component of their office.
Public accountability comes with all offices in government. Any person who holds an office in government takes a sacred oath to serve the same to the best of his abilities and upholding at all times the welfare of the public.
We assume acting City Engineer Joseph Dominic Felizarta, himself a lawyer, knows public accountability too well. Whilst apologising for the apparent failure of his office to exercise prudence in imposing the policy to prevent informal settlers in public structures like bridges, Felizarta also has to account for the failure.
As early as 2017, the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) gave a recommendation to Felizarta’s office to evict the informal settlers residing under the bridge because of the risk. The CEO did commence installing barriers in 2018 but reportedly failed to complete.
It is understandable that Dabawenyos are asking for the head of Felizarta. All in the name of public accountability.
It is easy to apologise for one’s shortcomings but for a public office to have failed to do what it is duty-bound to do, it already amounts to failure to satisfy the primary requirement of public accountability.
