Iloilo’s biggest shame in 2022

“Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.”

— Karl Kraus

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE biggest scandal in Iloilo in 2022 does not involve public officials caught with their hands in the cookie jar for there was not a single known earthshaking expose made by investigative journalists; no more opposition firebrands in the local legislature willing to slug it out with capitol and city hall and capable of risking their political future fighting the political behemoths and dynasties.

It’s the P680-million Ungka II flyover project linking Jaro, Iloilo City and Pavia, Iloilo now facing uncertainty after being “temporarily closed” on September 18, 2022 due to “strange structural” behaviors.

Much has been written about this scandalous project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and it’s hard not to be infuriated as taxpayers since the money involved in the project was so colossal if not astronomical.

It could feed and shelter thousands of destitute residents if shifted into social welfare program, or build hundreds of school rooms and even public schools if spent in education. It could help finance the training of future world class athletes from the region if appropriated in sports program.

The flyover was done, in fairness to the contractor. At least it was not a “ghost” project like the P728 million fertilizer scam of Jocjoc Bolante during the Arroyo presidency. 

At least there’s a physical evidence of any infamy if the contractor and other involved parties will fail to remedy the situation.

 

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But the contractor has a lot of explaining to do here. It cannot escape scrutiny and accountability since the fund for this unique project had already been released according to the public works project bids and awards system.

If the money was not properly handled in this project and went only to the pockets of several corrupt individuals, it’s a total shame and a gigantic disgrace especially if members of the Houses of Representatives will not lift a finger to probe this brouhaha that made headlines and was reported prominently in the national media. 

So sad that we are about to bid adieu to 2022 and will wake up soon in 2023, yet not a single word was heard from any member of the House of Representatives to at least give assurance to the public that they will soon take up the matter in a formal inquiry.

Even before the Pavia Sangguniang Bayan endorsed a resolution calling for a House inquiry to be led by Iloilo solons, the story was already a veritable hot cake nationwide. Thus any solon should have volunteered to investigate the issue motu proprio even without any formal request from any local legislative body.

Are they beholden to the contractor who is reportedly known to be a big election campaign donor? 

 

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WIRELESS EYES. A team of MIT researchers has entered the race to develop an implant that can restore partial vision to the blind. Unlike other implants under development, MIT's system does not place electrodes directly on the retina, which can damage the eye during implantation. Instead, the device stimulates nerves near the eyeball that carry visual information to the brain.

LISTENING TO LEAVES. Western Washington University geophysicists are making localized air-pollution maps by tracking the magnetism of three leaves. Car and some industrial pollution contains particles of magnetic iron oxide that stick to the leaves, making them magnetic.

WARNING: There is an international boom industry in anti-aircraft missiles and warplanes that are designed to defeat U.S. stealth technology. Source: Popular Mechanics.

Conventional radar ranges are increasing, and that's just the start of the problem. Over-the-horizon radar can detect airplanes by bouncing signals off the ionosphere, 56 miles above Earth, while passive radar can provide enemies with rough tracks of an airplane's location, direction and altitude.

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

Horrific tragedy averted

“I like to complain and do nothing to make things better.”

— Kurt Cobain

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ILOILO residents and motorists should be “thankful” they have been alerted by the sinking flyovers in Ungka and Aganan in Pavia when they were first opened in September.

If the impairment was not detected on time, it could have endangered the lives of both the residents in that area and the motorists. 

Since it is a gigantic infrastructure project, the damage on the lives and property would have been catastrophic.

We’ve seen the horrors of some flyovers and bridges in other countries that collapsed due to structural aberrations where motorists were badly maimed and mangled. Ilonggos are still luckier.

Since it would reportedly take a year or beyond to overhaul or repair the newly built P680-million flyover project initiated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the traffic woes of the Ilonggos will be far from over. Indeed, it’s back to square one.

We are interested to hear the explanation of the contractors and other agencies involved in this embarrassing project. There must be accountability and thorough investigation from the House of Representatives. 

What a waste of time and the taxpayers’ money.

 

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STRENGTH IN A BOTTLE? A stomach enzyme could make as stronger. Protease, a digestive enzyme that helps our body break down proteins, appears to lessen muscle inflammation that occurs after resistance training, says Baylor University researchers.

BRAIN FOOD. We could cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease by a whopping 42 percent Columbia University researchers found when they analyzed the diets of 2,136 adults over 65 that meal plans with highest intake of lefty greens, tomatoes, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower plus fish, nuts, and vinaigrette-type salad dressing, with only small amounts of full-fat dairy products, cut their odds of Alzheimer's.

TWILIGHT INSIGHT AND OUR YOUNGSTERS. Why are teens fascinated by these fanged creatures? "Vampires are alluring. They're neither completely human nor dead; they don't belong in either world. Teenagers identify with them because they often feel like outsiders, too, as they transition from childhood into adulthood," says Dr. Kathy Ramsland, author of The Science of Vampires.

 

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SHE'S NOT IMPRESSED. Tough guys don't wow women. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows that women find a man more appealing if he walks away from a jerk instead of responding aggressively.

‘OPTIMAL SEXUALITY. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality has defined 8 major components of "optimal sexuality." Based on interviews with 44 individuals who reported having great sex, plus 20 sex therapists, a team of researchers identified 8 key factors--being present, connection, deep sexual and erotic intimacy, extraordinary communication, interpersonal risk taking and exploration, authenticity, vulnerability and transcendence.

ARTIC BLAST. CNN has reported that more than 25 million people across much of the central and northwestern US are under wind chill alerts. Heavy snow is expected today in several states including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and most of Minnesota—where the high temperatures will remain below zero, according to the National Weather Service. 

This week, more than 80 percent of the Lower 48 will experience temperatures below freezing, with cities as far south as Atlanta, Houston and Orlando currently included on that list. Forecasters are also predicting some in the Midwest could experience their coldest Christmas Day in nearly 40 years, with air travelers likely facing cancellations and delays.

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