THE "SHOES" OF GOVERNOR RICO
The Bohol Chronicle
Editorial
issued on Feb.28,2010
In a Hollywood film, Anthony Quinn portraying the role of the Pope in Rome, referred to his responsibility as taking on "The Shoes of the Fisherman ". The Fisherman, of course, was St.Peter the Apostle, the first bishop of Rome.
When the founder -publisher of the Chronicle bade goodbye, we editorialized then whether his sandals we were worthy to step into. It has been a metaphorical element for succession.
Who will fill then in Governor Rico's huge shoes as he steps out of Capitol?
An objective assessment of his nine-year term is in order.
Poverty has been partially beaten. From No. 16 poorest province, Bohol has moved to No.41. From 30% of barangays infiltrated by rebel ideology, Bohol is now declared "insurgency free" and a model for peaceful resolution of conflict.
Rice sufficiency is 113% while the Philippines remains the biggest importer of rice.
Tourism has done a "Great Leap" forward- ushering Bohol to eminence among the most preferred tourist destinations.
The circumferential roads glowingly litter the idyllic coastal towns, hydro electricity trying to compliment the Leyte grid supply, waterworks better in the city and some places, health benefits expanded, ports improved for RORO access and international airport soon to grace the Panglao rugged plains.
On balance, there are power shortfalls in some peak periods, a large percentage of households do not have access to potable water 50% of the time, Panglao does not even have adequate water supply, some irrigation projects not up to par in efficiency and NEDA rates of return and lack of adequate hospital facilities still felt by the rural poor.
The city airport remains an embarrassment.
Of course, there are questions, answers of which need validation as to how "clean" these mega projects: road, irrigation dams, and airports are. Only time will unravel those.
But in sum, it is hard to argue, that Governor Rico, being the province's Captain Ball, has left behind a legacy of achievement, buttressed by his undying loyalty to the President of the republic, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Chief Budget Dispenser.
Of course, he had an undivided Capitol and three party mates as Congressman, in the midst of all these. But that also calls for expert human management skills to make all toe the line.
Still, the Man in the Capitol, has much to be proud of.
ENDURING STRENGTHS
The problem with an Achiever is the search for the successor who will try to approximate or duplicate his one tough act to follow, will be difficult. There are candidates and there are candidates. Who can stand up to Gov. Rico's outstanding traits?
Governor Erico B. Aumentado is a known workaholic whose sense of direction and sense of urgency was there on Day One he become a public official. This being "organized" in order to beat deadlines he probably partly got as reporter/writer/columnist of this paper for 15 years and editor of the Rafael Palma College campus newspaper. He also later became provincial correspondent of the Manila Times, one of the two biggest national papers in his time.
No less than President Carlos P. Garcia had egged Aumentado to try politics. He obliged by getting elected as board member( 19 years), vice-governor( 4 years), congressman ( 9 years and one time one of House Majority floor leaders and deputy Speaker of the House) and governor ( 9 years and head of league of governors).
Large shoes, those have to be. Governor Rico had personal strengths that carried him through quite handsomely through nine years as Chief Executive of the province.
What traits should his successor therefore have?
as governor, one needs a lawmaker who understands the workings of legislation as adjunct to development. Bohol needs a governor with endurance for long hours of work and seasoned enough to withstand the pressure cooker of a job.
Bohol needs a statesman who is not onion-skinned and can take a punch as well as given one; one vast experience in governance to know what switches to turn on linking Bohol to Manila's corridor of budgetary and administrative powers.
Bohol needs one with a certain sense of party principles as Governor Aumentado had, for the most part shown- endearing him to the party in powers- that- be for a good part of his nine years.
Lastly, governance is also salesmanship- of ideas and the skill to push the frontiers of Bohol's potential to the max level- to all parties- such that communication and empathy (verbal and written) is a must.
Are we looking for a superman? Maybe not?
What we are merely foisting are standards- and we have to raise the bar because this unfolding drama of national development has raised the stakes higher too- maybe even more than when Governor Rico Aumentado first started in 2001.
Study therefore your candidates and their platforms. Read more and guess less.
The next Governor should skillfully carry the baton from where Rico Aumentado had left his indelible mark. It would be a pity to lose this sense of momentum.
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