Contrary to dire predictions about the economy in 2009 as the norm nowadays, Ayala Corp. chairman and chief executive Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said Philippine economic fundamentals were in “good shape” despite all the bad news coming from developed countries.

        :“The Philippine economy is not too dependent on exports and on foreign investments,” Zobel de Ayala said, noting that all-important inflows of foreign exchange were being provided by the big number of expatriate Filipinos. “The economy is more dependent on stable OFW (overseas Filipino worker) remittances,” and OFWs are not likely to lose their jobs abroad because more of them are in industries less exposed than others to the global slowdown, he said. In addition, he added that the Philippines was in better position than before to face the effects of financial market shocks because of its large reserves of foreign exchange.

        :He cited predictions by analysts that the Philippines would grow 3.2-5.0 percent next year, compared to with forecasts ranging from a contraction of 0.7 percent to a growth of at most 0.7 percent for the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. He said the Philippines’ prospects were shared by other Asian countries in general, especially the so-called ASEAN 5 — the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. These countries are expected to report slower but stable growth rates despite the global slowdown.

        :Let us pray to God and hope that the Philippine and world economy would recover fast. At any rate, Filipinos are resilient, resourceful, and thrive in the most difficult circumstances.

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        :The unabated road excavations along the National Highway of Naga City and other parts of Camarines Sur by a telecommunications company (telco) is not only annoying to the public but also remains a road hazard to the motorists. It is doubly dangerous during nighttime since it does not have adequate warning devices or light at all.

        :I just can’t understand why this kind of project is being allowed to go on continuously without the visible supervision of the LGUs concerned. The public welfare and interest is at stake as these road excavations cause the obstruction of traffic and are prone to accidents.

        :Adding insult to injury, there is no information whatsoever as to the name of the telco, its contractor, and the purpose of the project. It is bad Public Relation to say the least. I for one, would have second thoughts of dealing with the said telco in the future for its insensitivity and callousness.

        :The question I would like to ask is, who will be responsible in case an accident occurs resulting to lost of limbs and damage to properties? The last time I texted Mayor Robredo about this last December 2008, he replied that he would refer it to the DPWH. Why can’t the City exercise its power to regulate projects within its jurisdiction and compel national agencies like DPWH to respect its ordinances (if any) ensuring public safety and citizen’s welfare?

        :Similarly, I would like to enjoin the City Hall officials to strictly implement the “NO SMOKING” ordinance in the city. If they found it too difficult to implement citywide, why don’t they focus at the Naga City Bus Terminal for a start?

        :Other than the smoke belching-buses, arriving and outbound passengers are exposed to the cigarette smokes within the bus terminal. Guests and visitors automatically got the impression that here is a city that is not keen on safeguarding the health of its citizens, or strictly implement environmental laws.

        :They may argue that the smokers has the right to smoke. I don’t care if these smokers burn their lungs to their heart’s content, as long as they refrain from smoking at the bus terminal. What I am concern for are the non-smoking public that includes the vendors, drivers and conductors, passengers, and the citizens (including the elderly and the children) who have the equal right not to be exposed to the ill-effects of second-hand smoke!

        :Maybe, this clarion call will once again fall into deaf ears, or maybe these are trivial matters that do not deserve the attention of our city officials nestled in the comfort of their air-conditioned offices. Maybe finger pointing, or blaming the bus terminal operator/lessee would be the best way out.

        :The City Council may pass the most number of ordinances, or the chief executive come up with the most innovative and award-winning initiatives. But all of these are for naught, if the implementation is sloppy and half-hearted.

        :Let me end with what Herbert Henry Lehman once said, “ You can’t run a government solely on a business basis…Government should be human. It should have a heart.”