Editorial: Blessing in disguise
Sunday , April 29, 2018
WHILE it was not a pretty sight that some officials led by Negros Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez fell into the murky water after the wooden footbridge collapsed at Sitio Hongkong in Barangay Rio Honda, Zamboanga City on Thursday, it is somehow a blessing in disguise.
They get the firsthand look and feel about the substandard materials used in the housing project for the survivors of the Zamboanga siege.
Videos from various news outlets went viral on social media. It also became a top story in the national media.
Netizens also make a mockery of the officials, but thank God nobody got hurt, although they sustained bruises and scratches.
Looking at the video, there were actually wires and cables that also fell into the water. Good thing there weren’t open wires, or else it could have been a bloodbath on national TV.
Benitez, chairman of the House committee on housing and urban development, had said his committee will investigate the housing units which have proven to be defective.
The Negrense solon was quoted in news reports saying that “it was a fruitful inspection. The evidence is very clear.”
He added the incident served as a blessing that showed how substandard the projects are and it is time for the said footbridge to be concreted.
Before the wooden footbridge collapsed, the officials were actually talking how the said footbridge is unsafe.
True enough, it proves to them how unsafe it is for the residents.
Benitez has been batting for the creation of the department of housing to address the country’s housing problems.
Maybe this time the national government has to go over their housing plans again. Let’s not wait for someone to get hurt before we’ll take an immediate action.