But another Kagayanon’s honest voice…
July 24, 2007
I saw your blog and your website by accident and decided to write to you…
I just arrived from my 2 weeks trip to Cagayan de Oro. Although my trip was memorable, I was dismayed by the chaotic traffic snarls of drivers in the city. Secondly, garbage on the streets and everywhere…I am ashamed to bring my American friends to Cagayan because I find the city very dirty.
I am sorry to say this but I wish your Mayor can do something about it. If you want tourist to appreciate the beauty of the city, they have to tidy up the place first.
Balikbayan,
AL.
(Alan Neri, writing to info@cdokay.com)
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Follow up email: July 28, 2007
The comments I made are not to downgrade the city where I was born but to comment on how we can better ourselves with positive criticism from others. My comments are not solely just coming from me but also from my siblings who are currently there now visiting and my relatives who previously visited the city.
My siblings are from different parts of the U.S. namely; Michigan, NY, Texas & California which I am based. I have lived here for almost 30 years and my eldest siblings have lived in this country longer than me.
Having a clean city is a consensus effort of everyone living in that city, being conscientious of their surroundings and to be clean.
If other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand can do it, so can the Filipinos in the Philippines, don’t you think so?
Again, thank you for your response.
Cheers,
AL.
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But another honest voice. We appreciate Alan’s candor.
CDO is a small city at the crossroads of rapid progress – know that, of late, ours is the most progressive. Where the action and the vibe is, people tend to crowd at center of the happenings. These things – economic growth and urban decay, are seemingly inevitable. We leave it to nobody — to no one, but to ALL of us to keep up, step up and make ways.
On a note wishful thinking, our new Administration can learn a lesson or two from other cities that have seen extensive – and expensive! – refurbishing. We pray. Look now, read our NEWS and it came to our knowledge that there already are mince steps taken to making ways: the clearing of sidewalks, untangling of ‘spaghetti’ wires, etc. Even, we say “okay” when we heard our Mayor saying “If we can help each other, let’s define and agree on things for the good of the city and start working on what is attainable.”
Reassuring.
Balikbayan Alan’s voice is a plea for hope, after all.
How’s yours?
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July 27th, 2007 at 6:29 am
It’s indeed one of the dilemmas in a progressive city. There might be developments in the government’s efforts to boost the city’s tourism but we won’t wait until the surroundings are clean to bring visitors. Tourists come whenever they want to. Hopefully, this action of the city administration won’t last only until their term is finished or until the next few months only. Cleaning-up must be done regularly.
August 7th, 2007 at 4:56 am
I absolutely agree with Alan’s comments.!!!!! WAY TO GO ALAN. I’ve said these kind of problem months ago. But some people on this blog (at least one ) who is VERY BLIND to see all these, commenting what I have said; that Cagayan de Oro is CLEAN and in ORDER. I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT PART OF THE CITY IS THAT. You have to be blind not to see what I see WHAT’S GOING ON IN THIS CITY EVERYDAY. I have a business in the city and it is a constant struggle just to keep our surrounding clean. People are undisciplined. Guys urinate anywhere they want. Its just unbelievable scene!!!The city is not just so FILTHY but also STINKY!!! Government doesn’t even provide anything EVEN THE MOST BASIC TO KEEP THE CITY CLEAN all the time, such as garbage bin on the side of the street. None!! that I can see.