by: Rufo-Tigs Tidalgo
"Our dream was a Mayapay, a national park and a tourist
destination owned by the people of Butuan and Agusan
for our children's children and the next generation to
enjoy; not privately owned.
It is now water under the bridge"
We are hearing the inconsolable longing of a man with a golden heart. He is
Benhur Lazam; a true Butuanon with a dream shared by most sons and daughters of
our city of affection. I said 'most' because a few have different ideas about
Mayapay. Apparently, people at the helm of power are not in congruency with the
wanting of the general population as demonstrated by city council's
inconsiderate silence and inaction.
The council's strange behavior finally appears obvious. A commercial resort
rises up in the mountain. City tourism promotes it as a place to go during
homecoming and fiesta season. It raises many eyebrows as the resort is said to
be owned by the mayor wherein his wife is the new tourism boss. If there's no
conflict of interest here... then what is? It seems to satisfy the adage
frequently utters by many lately of what are we in power for?
The resort is an open insult to the people of Butuan. It is a blatant slap on
the face on those that desires and endeavors to make the mountain a natural
park. It is not only a transgression to God's given gift but also a deliberate
abuse beyond forgiving. It's a wonder how they stooped so low in circumventing
at will those that supposedly put them in office.
But again what can we expect from a dynasty? Disregarding people's preference
is common to autocrats. We sowed a bagful of wind and why should we be
surprised now to harvest a whirlwind?
This misdeed however is nothing compared to that mischievous lady up north.
Just wait and see when educated estimate of cynics comes to pass when she
declares herself as god for life. Wild as it maybe, but for escaping
liabilities from previous corruption, this kind of logic is not far fetch at
all. Suffice to assume that we are not yet seeing the worst.
It's indeed boggling why Butuan is still cavorting so fervently with her
administration deemed as the most corrupt in the continent. Well, maybe it has
to do with birds of the same feathers.
The city should learn from past mistakes. The ugly footprints carved deeply by
sins of our fathers stand ineffective to deter abuses. We absolved them from
blame, but when generation after perpetuates the same today is entirely a
different story. It is inexcusable this time around. We have to react where the
righteous failed before. The harm is yet unhealed and we should not worsen it
any further.
There's no need to farther expound what Mayapay is to Butuanon. Narratives and
commentaries have been so abundantly vocal. Various medium of promotions were
staged to encourage support. Butuanon that lives by it day after day requires
no inducement.
It is our mountain; an icon of pride and glory. We love it despite its pitiable
shape. It is priceless and absolutely not for sale nor shall it be partitioned
for any other use either by government or anyone else. This resort is
definitely not an exemption. It does not belong anywhere in Mayapay.
The city road passing by the resort under guises of serving inhabitants therein
could have better use instead to fix roads to barrios that need it most. To
build a road on public land where tenancy is not legally authorized does not
make any sense. It can be construed as a shallow pretence to use public money
to access the newly built resort. Something is indeed not right.
Therefore, to snub this establishment is fitting and patronizing it is
traitorous to the cause.
But it's easier said than done. There is no united action in Butuan. We never
had a credible one before and any chance to have it today is as realistic as
snowball in hell. The undeserving goes unbound. It's a paradox by itself.
Abhorrence to wrongdoings is extensive, but going to nitty-gritty is something
else. Blood is thicker than water and this kingdom by the river have one common
current; family clan.
Mayapay Park remains an illusion and to materialize it is highly doubtful. It
is the untouchable that makes it extremely difficult. It boils down to big
bucks. Billions in investment can not just be ignored. Greed overcomes well
being and in the contest between good and evil where money is in the side of
wrong, the wicked wins. It's the nature of the beast. It's our mark of Cain.
From ignorance we condoned foreboding fault and today's enlightenment fails to
teach. It is not in wisdom we fall short but in greed that we excess. Mayapay
is not hard to fathom. It is a monument of selfishness and a towering statement
of shame on city government's inability to care.
Benhur Lazam was right to say that it is now water under the bridge. We
understand his feeling. The wall was high and the ladder was short. It was a
good try; a noble task, but again another David versus Gollaith. We wore his
T-shirt, but like any other dream reality crept in.
He woke up.
Submit comments via the Discussion Board at:
http://www.butuanon.org/yabb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?board=Essays
|
