Like a fart, it stinks.
This was how Naga City Councilor Nathan Sergio labelled the city government’s claim that Naga is Bicol’s “center of good governance”.
In a privilege speech, Sergio lamented that Naga was not one of the 17 local government units in Bicol that have been awarded with Seal of Governance by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) last month.
And yet, city officials still have the gall to brag that Naga is a center of good governance, he pointed out.
“It would now appear that the claim is nothing but a hollow brag. And like a fart, it stinks,” Sergio said, while pointing to a huge “Center of Good Governance” arch in front of the city hall entrance.
“Time and again, I would hear a promise or pledge that we will continue and pursue the legacy left by our beloved former city mayor, the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. But this non-inclusion in the DILG recognition speaks something else about the state of affairs of our city, and about us,” the councilor said.
“Sabi nga sa pelikula, tinimbang ka ngunit kulang,” Sergio quipped.
Robredo had been Naga’s legendary mayor beginning in 1998. Serving six terms, he transformed Naga to a one of the “Most Improved Cities” in the world as cited by Asiaweek Magazine.
The current mayor is John Bongat.
Sergio ended his speech with the question: “Saen talaga kita nagluya?” (Where did we fail?)
