Recognition

Right this month in Naga City, stalls, cramming the Plaza Rizal that made it look like a flea market in a backward town, were dismantled at the instance of the Camarines Sur LGU which own the place. This amounts to the recognition by the Capitol administration of the better interest of the public. Naturally, bean brains would make their ugly retort at the loss of meager profit but Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte would have none of it. For this laudable move, the Mail says: “Mr. Governor, thank you.”

Albeit remnants of the typhoons have yet to be removed, promenaders abound back in the park. More elderly and the young as well during sunny days perch the concrete benches and shades which give them little comfort watching the life of the city pass by. It’s wonderful to have a small patch of earth assigned to the leisure of the populace. Civility is magnified through understandable generosity.
In some immediate past, the Plaza Rizal was home to men enjoying themselves as they debate on issues particularly of religion. The discussions were vigorously pursued. Passers-by were attracted to listen for a short while. It was a sight of simplicity and it kept the menfolk engaged, sharp.

The later provincial government, obsessed with cultural formations, poured money to make the park more convenient so to say in the parlance of good governance. Facilities were established, so with periodic shows. They need not be stopped due to the change of leadership.

The good plans of the previous administration of former Gov. Luis Villafuerte on the plaza should be continued and developed by his son, incumbent Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte.

While there may probably be certain shifts of emphasis of the younger governor on administration, it remains his obligation to perpetuate concerns that are highly desirable in the locality, even if only to show that he is not short of history.

The value of culture must never be underestimated. Its undervaluing is unwelcome for any irreverence of behavior can always be traced back from cultural misconception.

It is to be noted that no community of any people has a monopoly in the direction of what kind or how a group must act on leisure. This is never a presupposition that influence is isolated in local socialization for in fact it’s the reverse that is true. Take into account particularly the sophistication that is happening in urban centers on recreations of the province and in these places one comparatively pays for the enjoyment.

If the public parks are not maintained by the state as in this case the LGU, a very political question of an apolitical need emerges: where will the masses go? Remember that democracy runs by the number and the majority gives it the track to where its idealism can smoothly and safely travel. And it’s the wisest for the provincial government to improve the Plaza Rizal because it is it’s own show window.