A legitimate gripe
A group of Davao City businessmen whose establishments are located along Bolton Street have formally complained to City Hall against the putting up of makeshift stalls/structures or so-called “tiangge”along the said street in connection with the Christmas season now about to end. The complaint, addressed to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, dated December 10, 2010, was signed by 24 owners/proprietors who described the structures as “eyesores” and “obstructions” that have adversely affected their businesses this last month of the year.
The affected businesses run the gamut from barbershops/haircutters, dental/optical clinics, pawnshop, cell phone shop, educational supplies, lodging house, savings bank, etc.
As legitimate taxpayers who contribute to the city coffers, as opposed to the vendors plying their trade in the “tiangge” who pay little taxes, if at all, the complainants have asked City Hall to re-examine or re-evaluate the concept behind the “tiangge”, especially so because their rights as businessmen have been violated and their income drastically reduced by the installation of the structures which was done arbitrarily without regard for their rights and interests.
The complainants, while admitting that the “tiangge” concept is “laudable,” have a point. Perhaps there is a need to see the problem from their perspective and a happy balance struck for all concerned, especially in this season “for giving” and “forgiving.”
No debate needed
A gathering consensus to ban firecrackers and pyrotechnics all year round has once again placed Davao City and Rody Duterte in the national spotlight. The city, with its leader for more than two decades (six terms as mayor and one term as congressman), is being cited as a shining example by ban advocates. On national television days ago some anchormen said there is no need for a long debate in order for both Houses in Congress to approve the national ban should a proposal be presented in the legislature.
This is a golden opportunity for Davao City’s three lawmakers to propose, jointly or separately, such a bill and stop the disasters that visit the country annually due to fireworks-related accidents. Of course, the lawmakers of Bulacan can not be expected to do this since many of their constituents are making a living out of this industry which poses a danger to the living (forget the pun).
An added reason for such a ban is a scientific fact. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into the atmosphere caused by firecracker explosions during Christmas, New Year and other occasions of revelry increases by 2,000 percent in this country, according to the Climate Change Commission last Tuesday.
Whatever, the primordial consideration should really be the greatest good to the greatest number.
