I don't know Duterte from Adam -- at least that one from Davao. The only time I heard the name was when my grandmother would include Nene Duterte in prayers for the departed during our daily evening rosary . During their time the name Nene was also given to men, very much like one Pimentel.
Oh, sorry -- where was I.
Carol Arguillas sent me a text message to list down three things I like about Davao and three things I don't like about Davao.
Without blinking an eye I immediately ticked off the following:
Likes:
1 - The Smoking Ban
2 - Honest Taxi Drivers
3 - Efficient Traffic Management
4 - Can I put a fourth? Firecracker ban
Dislikes:
1 - Flashfloods
2 - Usu-usu
3 - (Still thinking of a third one)
And since Carol prefers some explanation, let me attempt to say it in a few words. The key is attempt.
On the Smoking Ban:
I still vividly remember the day when all of us smokers in a workshop were made to smoke inside a glass cubicle inside a fancy hotel. This was to be in not just one hotel until those who cant avoid a nicotine fix demanded for their rights.
There we were, being watched like weird creatures in a fishbowl -- inhaling firsthand and secondhand smoke with ambivalent gusto. As we leave the glass cubicle, we were met with smirks by the non-smokers. The seeds of being embarrassed with how one smells were planted. This was at least ten years ago.
On Honest Taxi Drivers:
The last thing a harried passenger would want inside a cab is having to negotiate whether to use a meter or not; add a tip or not; this route to take or that -- like what I always encounter in the gates of hell and yes, in CdeO. Such bad business practice. Pirmi lang sila kunwari magpaki-looy, hiway robbery na diay to. What happened to dignity in honest toil?
But in Davao these get reported to their mayor and, as I learned just this January, six drivers were banned from the airport and their licenses were suspended after being proven for canvassing for passengers and not using their meters. The taxi driver who told me this (I took note of the name in his ID -- Felix Adlao; forgot the name of the taxi though) said he just returned only recently to the airport to queue after the crooks were flushed out.
On Efficient Traffic Management:
Gee -- I'm just too happy to have my car's registration renewed very recently without a hitch. I drove through red lights a couple of times in Davao and was told through the grapevine that my violation can be tracked online! I presume those manning the monitors must already have the capacity to determine whether the driver violated traffic rules deliberately or not.
One time a traffic officer flagged me and I honestly did not know what my violation was. I rolled down my window and for a half-second I explained to him in 50 words that I just came a minute ago from a car shop to inquire for hubcaps. He just smiled and told me, "Seatbelt, Ma'am". (Was the name Coprado? Apologies. This was in 2004 or 2005). With a melted heart I gained a healthy respect for traffic and safety rules.
On the Firecracker ban:
It's not only second hand smoke, but lesser beings in other cities still have to know what noise pollution is.
* * * * *
On Flashfloods:
I wouldn't want to be in any low-lying area or a riverside in Davao when it rains. Even for half an hour.
On Usu-usu:
Naa pa ba ni ron? Anyway, bka naundang na since nagka vehicular accident tong jeep kay wa na magdungog ang pasahero ug ang driver sa kakusog sa sawnz. I wonder why passengers still have not mustered the strength to squeeze the neck of drivers who wont turn down the volume of their sound system to a level that will promote world peace.
And while we're at it (noise pollution), it's good to note that Davao has started to put a curfew on videokes. Arrrgggghhhh those gadgets for self-glorification and illusory stardom are just making life miserable for the rest of an unwilling audience around the nearest neighborhood. The mayor did not give in to the pleas of extortive mendicancy (if there is such a term) saying that the right of a person to turn up the volume ends with the right of the other person to live in peace and quiet and open air.
Going back: Again I don't know the Davao Mayor from Adam. I just know him through the results of his work. No need to put up screaming ads inviting people to come or live or invest in Davao. No need to put up epal tarps to brandish how good and multi-awarded he is. All he needed to do was do his homework, clean up the city hands on and work within the constraints of the law. Looks like he did not spend so much energy cooking up new laws or ordinances to see whether it will work or not. He just let it work.
And haha. I like the way he speaks the language of the bad guys -- for example "...kining yawang..." (did I hear it right...?) It's the only language the bad guys and gals understand that he means what he says. For a handful of times I'm amused at myself for not being eager enough to have a picture taken with him at Yellow Fin, Iron Horse or the mall.
And before he disappears from the local governance scene, I hope the culture of efficiency and service is no longer personality-dependent but ingrained as a way of life of Davaoenos. And hopefully radiate to the rest of the country.
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Cotabato City
5 March 2014
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