Author Topic: One on One With Engineer Maurito Ramirez Lim  (Read 1265 times)

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One on One With Engineer Maurito Ramirez Lim
« on: December 11, 2007, 01:28:07 AM »
By Loy Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post

This corner thought that the plan of the Provincial Government to buy-back from Salcon the energy and water utilities which used to be operated by the PPUD (Provincial Public Utilities Department) is already a part of history. After the storm, the calm. Or, so it seemed.

As it turned out, it is still an issue. The City Mayor of Tagbilaran seems to be the only distinguishable ripple in a placid pond. Aside from a local Bar Topnotcher who still fusses over the incapacity of the local governance to push through with the plan that enjoyed tremendous media mileage for several months. The dramatic unfolding of the plot is akin to Emily Bronte's "not ending in a bang, but with a whimper." The denouement is still to unravel, so we are still in the midst of an on-going real-life drama nobody is sure whether it would end a comedy or a tragedy.

This was the perceived state of impasse when this writer met Engineer Maurito Ramirez Lim (MRL) at the conference room of the Cooperative Bank of Bohol, when we were a part of the audience to a talk by Angelo Palmones, the General Manager of DZMM, re the mediamen's responsibility in reproductive health.

Chairman Mau, as his colleagues in the BTMA (Bohol Tri-Media Association) would call him, graduated at the University of Bohol with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He worked at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and simultaneously was an Engineering Instructor at University of Bohol for some years right after graduation, until he transferred to the National Power Corporation where he was assigned at the Management Division of the Construction Department. At the same time he took up a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He worked at NAPOCOR for more than 20 years before his retirement in December 31, 1998.

A radio personality well-known for his cultural, social and public affairs commentaries on his DYRD and DYTR programs: "Kalambuan Uban sa Lacto Bacillus," "Banikanhong Haranista," and "Isyu-Por-Isyu," Chairman Mau is in private business after retirement. This brief interview took place before the start of a seminar on broadcasting last December 3 (Monday).

LMP: How do you find your world today?

MRL: A lot of things have changed after my retirement, like I am more concerned nowadays about social issues and concerns.

LMP: Did you not have much social concern when you were still with NAPOCOR?
MRL: The concern was already there; it still is, although more intense. But when I was working fulltime I did not have time to ventilate about various topics affecting the community. If I did that, I won't be doing justice to the agency I was working with, especially if I would use much of my time away from my job responsibilities.

LMP: What are the issues that you are ventilating now?
MRL: A lot, especially in my radio slot with Atty. Victor de la Serna. His dynamism in discussing concerns on air has rubbed off on me. I never felt this way before… I am more into the midst of things. The concern is deeper this time.

LMP: What's your side on the issue about Bohol Light and Bohol Water utilities?
MRL: During the election campaign, the Governor of Bohol included in his platform of governance that he will buy-back Bohol Light. Now that he won the seat again, it seems that he's not mentioning it anymore. That is the reason why every Friday during his Governor's Report, I always ask him questions about Bohol light. He must stand true to his words.

LMP: Were you against the privatization of the Provincial Public Utilities Department or PPUD before?
MRL: Because there were lapses of PPUD that time, most people were in favor that this must be undertaken by a private company.

LMP: With the buy-back scheme by the Governor, does it mean that something went wrong?
MRL: No. When it was still with PPUD, there were still some improvements; but we cannot control the minds of the politicians here. That's why eventually they sold it to SALCON. SALCON introduced some more improvements, which were well and good. These were necessary. But the Boholanos must be the ones to control the business and not some foreign investors. As it is we are in a situation where we have no choice, especially in the rates.

LMP: Where will the governor get the money if he were to buy-back the company?
MRL: This is a self-liquidating business and the banks are still open for loans.

LMP: There was an amount given to the provincial government from SALCON, but there were some issues saying that the money is already gone. What is your comment on this one?
MRL: What we knew was that there was 70-30 equity. Thirty percent for the province, seventy percent for SALCON.

LMP: Now if that's the case, why is there not a single centavo as dividend of this 30 percent share for the province? Would you say that the provincial government is not doing its best to get its share?
MRL: Most likely. The other side also claims that the result there is zero because there is no dividend for the province.

LMP: And you believe that this is a lucrative business? What is your basis?
MRL: If it is well managed, we will surely expect profit, but if it is carelessly handled, then there is a possibility of a zero dividend for the provincial government.

LMP: There are also people who would say that any business which is given to the government is most often than not a source of graft and corruption. If Bohol Light and Bohol Water will be given back to the government, would the same thing happen?
MRL: I still believe that it should be bought back, because it's for the sake of the people.

LMP: Can you imagine how this problem affects the underprivileged people?
MRL: It has been hard, of course. I feel what they feel. That is why the Governor must buy-back Bohol Light and Bohol Water. If he listened to Mayor Dan Lim last Saturday during the Mayor's Report, the Mayor said that he is just waiting for the final decision of the Governor. If the Governor is not really interested in buying back, then the Mayor will do it.

LMP: Do you think that the governor is no longer interested in buying back since he's not mentioning it anymore?
MRL: I think he is still in doubt because according to Atty. Victor dela Serna, he was requested by the Governor to draft a letter to SALCON about the buy-back. It was signed by the Governor, but until now there is still no reply from SALCON.

LMP: Do you think that the Governor is not doing anything about it anymore?
MRL: I can't say what's in his mind, that's just why every Friday during his program, I keep on asking him about the status of the buy-back plan.

LMP: Now, let's talk about the word war between the deputy mayor and the Kagawad Kapirig. Any comment about it?
MRL: I called up Chito Visarra in his radio program this morning. I also related to him the words of the Mayor last Saturday. He said that the two are like monkeys nga nag-ilog sa usa ka saging, but we are not sure sa quantity sa saging nga ilang gi-awayan.

LMP: There is an understanding that the Mayor is in dilemma with whom to side, because there are some very important things to consider, like the election of the SK Federation, for instance. The son of Kapirig might be sitting with the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Now, if he will take sides with Kapirig, that means he will be minus-two. Do you believe in that? (Update: in last Thursday's SK election, Kapirig's son did not push through with his candidacy as SK Federation Chairman for Tagbilaran City.)
MRL: I cannot comment on that. But we have to consider the interest of the other party also, that of Mario Uy. Both are good friends of Dan Lim, but I think the only problem there is pride. If they would just tone it down, then there's no need for any public apology.

Conscious of his role in influencing public opinion, radioman Maurito Lim deals on issues, not personalities. For instance, the aforementioned topics involved his friends. Yet, it does not mean that friendship is tarnished if issues are commented on, as long as these are dealt with objectively. This radio personality is still gaining ground in his craft.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=7209.0
Romans 10:9
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."
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