Floods and Treñas’ Guam trip

“Like air pollution, flood risk is a threat that government should be protecting us against.”

—Barry Gardiner

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

MAYOR Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas is lucky it’s not election period when he recently flew to Guam, which coincided when Ilonggos endured and ridiculed in the social media the flash floods brought by heavy rains May 4.

Rivals in politics would have shredded him to ribbons for “abandoning” the people “when they needed him most.”

Politicians are ruthless and unforgiving when it comes to playing politics—with or without a calamity.

They always wait—or sometimes “create”—for a perfect opportunity to put their rivals in bad light even if circumstances surrounding certain situations are beyond their rivals’ control like the mayor’s scheduled foreign trip and the sudden floods that unexpectedly happened almost simultaneously.

It could be actually a case of “bad timing”; Treñas’ “official business” trip to Guam was already set even before the heavy downpour came. Floods actually had also steamrolled the province.

Aside from really giving the residents a helluva mess, the floods weren’t really earthshaking that would warrant the full attention of a local chief executive who needs to convene the disaster coordinating council.

In fairness to the city mayor, he put everything into the proper places, so to speak, before and during the trip by “collaborating” with OIC mayor, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, on the suspension of classes from senior high school to pre-school level on May 5.

 

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In his Facebook page, the visiting Iloilo City chief executive said he was “grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality we received at the welcome lunch hosted by Mr. Frank and Remy Sarabia Huelar, together with Guam Senator Jessie Lujan, Nilfa Moncada Milan, Cynthia Nisay, Richard Ybanez, Tony Lanyog Jr, Anita Demaala, Rose Muyco Sugon, Myrna Labrador, Alfredo Juaneza, and Elmer Sardoma of Iloilo International in Guam.”

“The gathering,” he added, “signifies the strong bond between Iloilo City and the global community. Let us continue to build bridges and partnerships that will create more opportunities for growth and development.”

Treñas expressed elation for having the opportunity to visit the Office of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines, Agana, Guam with Consul Ferdinand P. Flores and Vice Consul Shiela Alinsangan Briones.

“Salamat sa mainit nga pag-abi abi! (Thank you for the very warm welcome),” he wrote.

Treñas also felt “honored” to have spent a “meaningful morning” with Acting Governor and Lt. Governor of Guam, Joshua F. Tenorio, at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex. 

“This meeting signifies the strengthening of the relationship between Iloilo City and Guam,” the mayor explained, posting a photo of him with incoming President Richard Ybanez and officer Nilfa “Baby” Andy Moncada Milan, representing Iloilo City, alongside the distinguished leaders of Guam. 

“We are looking for more partnerships that will benefit the city,” Treñas enthused.

People expect positive results from the trip when Treñas returns.

 

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RISK FOR HEART ATTACK. Our pulse at rest is a key indicator for heart health. Sixty to 70 beats per minute is normal, but a new study finds that for every 10 beats faster per minute, a woman's risk for heart attack increases by 18 percent.

TREATING EMOTIONAL PAIN. Let us think of physical and emotional pain as two sides of the same coin. "MRI scans reveal that the brain regions that light up when you stub your toe are the same ones activated when you feel socially rejected," says Nathan DeWall, Ph.D., who conducted a study on treating emotional pain.

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GONADS. The Romans would crush a first time rapist's gonads between two stones (so that he can't repeat his crime).

ENDURANCE. God never leaves us alone facing difficult moments of life. He knows the limit of our endurance and He will always be there in our times of need.

TRIALS. When we are in deep trials, sometimes we want to give up and not to move on. But God says I am bigger than your problems. Rise up and move on! I WILL LIFT YOU UP!

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(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)