EditorialWrong Assumptions

Wrong Assumptions

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

Communication is important.

This is a lesson that officials of the City of Dumaguete may have learned the hard way when it faced a public outcry for its failure to inform the public about the sudden implementation of a mere P20 tax on bicycles, among other things.

The backlash had netizens going as far as reminding the people who not to vote for in the next election.

Twenty pesos may not be much these days, given that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has even issued a coin for it. But the kerfuffle has everything to do with the manner of its implementation.

The well-intentioned City Treasurer’s Office must have thought that because this was a 1997 Ordinance, the public information drive done way back then must have been enough to comply with that requirement. Sadly, it wasn’t.

The setback also forced Mayor Ipe Remollo to backpedal on the implementation of the Tax Ordinance.

Admitting that the public may have forgotten about this law because of its inconsistent implementation, the Mayor also scored good points when he recommended for a review of the Tax Ordinance to conform to safety and practical considerations.

On the back side, however, the Mayor couldn’t resist attacking the media for failing to keep the public reminded about this 25-year-old law. He said the local media failed to inform the public about old laws that have not been implemented, and had been too busy instead focusing on the controversies at the City Council.

Knowing the Mayor’s style, he was perhaps saying these tongue-in-cheek, but it may also reveal a flaw in how seriously the City government takes its responsibility in informing the public adequately, and in a timely manner.

The Dumaguete City Information Office can, of course, do its job in keeping the public informed through the various media.

But it is not the media’s role to take over the tasks of the City Information Office as mouthpiece of the Mayor.

Those are two different things.

Latest news

‘Red Tide’ up in Bais, Siaton

    A ‘Red Tide’ alert is up on two more bays in Negros Oriental, following laboratory results that showed high...

Chiquiting shrugs off Gov’s ‘mauling’ story

    Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria has shrugged off as a politically-motivated fabrication a report that his son, Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria, mauled...

Passing off rumors as facts

    In today’s digital world, where information spreads at lightning speed, it is more important than ever to approach what...

Storm-hit MSMEs may seek aid

    Micro, small, and medium enterprises in Negros Oriental that were hit by floods and other disasters could seek livelihood...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

Health warning up in Canlaon

    As Mt. Kanlaon in northern Negros Island continues to emit volcanic ash over the past days, people with comorbidities...

800 nabbed in week-long police operations

    Police in Negros Oriental arrested more than 800 individuals in week-long enhanced operations across the province, an official said...

Must read

‘Red Tide’ up in Bais, Siaton

    A ‘Red Tide’ alert is up on two more...

Chiquiting shrugs off Gov’s ‘mauling’ story

    Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria has shrugged off as a politically-motivated...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you