by Ven rebo Arigo
Gov. Arthur Yap heartily says sorry if it is a sin to help those who survive through farming and fishery in a statement that tells of someone up high yet has his feet remained connected to the ground. He gave the statement on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.
But he is firm in saying that he will continue in finding ways to solve the socio-economic crisis due to the pandemic.
“Kon sayop ang pagtabang, mangayo kog pasaylo sa atong katawhan,” the governor said during Capitol’s regular Friday morning program “Tingog Sa Mga Bol-anon” simulcast on all local radio stations.
The provincial chief executive was surprised why create a “bad issue” out of the project which grants the food-making sector a chance to display and market their produce in an unused end portion of the spacious CPG Park here.
Marketing the products of their labor and source of livelihood needs a place convenient to the producers and the consumers, Yap said.
The unused, grassy and dark portion of the park has been cleared for the installation of a facility that, even if limited, is useful to the agriculture-fishery-food workers for a temporary time period.
Capitol consultant Architect Niño Guidaben said once the economy returns to normal, the facility can be converted into a display center for souvenir items, artworks, handicrafts and similar items.
When the situation returns to normal, farmers may be allowed to display their products during weekends or during, activities like festivals and exhibits highlighting arts, cultural heritage, food and cuisine will make the facility a more useful and attractive amenity addition to the park.
Moreover, Guidaben said that with the portion having a farmers’ display, people can “buy for their daily sustenance at a more affordable price.”
The provincial government owns the park‘s area and the small lot portion for the limited farmers’ market or display center.
But Capitol critics identified with some politicians even spread false information to deceive Boholanos outside the province that it is the entire CPG Park that is being “converted into a wet market no less,” according to a release from Primer.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) allows in a memorandum circular the use of a portion of public park for agricultural display or showcase.
Women and senior citizen sectors are also engaged in farm and fishery livelihood.
NOT THE USUAL
WET MARKET
According to an official of the City Engineering Office, no market, more so if wet like the usual public market, is allowed beside, fronting or along the national highway.
Most of Bohol’s public markets are beside, fronting or along the national road.
Guidaben said based on its concept and design, the farmers’ display center is not a wet market like those in Cogon, Dao and Manga in Tagbilaran City where fishes, meats and other wet, raw food items are just displayed on concrete stalls.
The Manga market itself is just few steps from the end side of the national road.
If there are wet food items at the park display facility, they are, as agreed, in already weighed sealed packs stored in safety containers like boxes.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II said that the building permit of the project is being processed.
The city government is awaiting the likely revision of the plan for the facility to comply with the requirement of city officials.
A MATTER OF
MANAGEMENT
The governor said the concern about the traffic that may be caused by the farmers’ market, which is meters away and not strictly immediately from the national road, can be solved through proper management.
The school located on the other side of the road is currently closed to students because of the continuing prohibition of face-to-face classes on account of the prevailing Coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic.
While the city has its own enforcers, the provincial government itself will field personnel to keep traffic in order in the small area near the facility, the Primer release revealed.
Vehicular flow is managed efficiently in areas of big public markets surrounded by busy roads where practically all daily sustenance needs are displayed and sold and more people troop hourly, the press release from Primer bared.
CHEAP PRODUCTS BECAUSE THERE ARE
NO MIDDLEMEN
With layers of middlemen removed, the farm and fishery workers are able to sell their products at more affordable prices, which are beneficial to consumers.
“If it is wrong to help and provide an equal opportunity to earn and save amid crisis, I am asking forgiveness,” the governor reiterated.
DESECRATING CPG’S HONOR?
The governor just endured the harsh criticisms and obviously politically-charged attacks that stabbed the heart of his whole officialdom and administration.
Capitol foes and their associates also accused Yap’s program for the farmers at the park as a desecration to the honor of the late Pres. Carlos P. Garcia because the governor is not a Boholano, the Primer release mentioned.
Yap’s wife is a Boholana from Loboc, a town in the Third District where the governor had then served as congressman for nine years or three full terms.
The tirades at the governor’s person must have smashed the grave of Garcia and slashed the dead man’s chest, according to public service fellows.
The dear wife of the only Boholano president who was once the Philippine First Lady was a Cebuana and “not a genuine Boholano” like how Yap has been mocked by his political enemies.
FULFILLING ENOUGH
While Yap, like any other man on Earth, has no ability to choose his birthplace, it is “enough” for him “to have served and continue serving no less than the people of Bohol”.
The accusation of some politicians belonging to the other camp that the farmers’ use of a portion of the park is a mockery to Garcia’s honor has been apparently intended to ignite hatred towards the Capitol leadership, the Primer’s release stated.
It did also launched a boomerang question: Have the politicians condemning Capitol’s farmer program themselves lived by the virtues and values of Bohol’s most illustrious son?
These politicians sounded like they have the monopoly of love and respect for the only president Bohol has ever produced, the lowly consumers who welcomed the farmers’ display initiative commented.
Yet in years, these politicians have not been seen joining the annual rite led by the governor and other Capitol officials commemorating the birth and legacies of the greatest Boholano every November 4th, according to some observers.
Yap asked, “If Pres. Garcia were alive today, would he have opposed the temporary use of a small portion of his park for commerce and survival of the small Boholano farmers and fisherfolk at this hard time?”
“If you have the power to do help, then why not?” Yap further asked.
In the Balik sa Bohol Online Sale media launching the other week, national Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones hailed Yap’s leadership as “risk-taking and bold” yet with “a heart in the right place.”