Democracy works best in participative governance. Participative governance means people directly vote for concerns that will spell a big difference in their lives - today and in the future.

The public pronouncement of Mayor Dan Lim to place the "New Growth Center" Development Project of the city under the microscopic scrutiny of the citizenry and for the ratification in a referendum in January 2008 is a modern-day adaptation of popular democracy. In that sense, Mayor Lim has embraced the light and is serious in retaining Tagbilaran City's enviable rating as one of the best livable cities in the country.

There is the business and governance policy error of mistaking the trees for the forest.

In this case, the virulent objection to the road network system must be contextualized in the bigger perspective of a zonified community. That is the only way to justify a road network that will otherwise look labyrinthic unless viewed from the top.

There is no reason to question the sincerity of Mayor Dan to "dream big" about his city. The people of Tagbilaran should return that sincerity by actively participating in the referendum and then ratification of the "Growth Center" model - for after all this is the city many of them will have to live in for many years.

We have seen the perils of merely being "reactive" to city problems when they arise.

This referendum methodology will definitely be "pro-active" in that the different scenarios are simulated before problems, many becoming multi-headed hydra monsters, become an every day irritation in the future.

But of course any sound decision requires full disclosures of facts and figures - worst and best scenarios - so that there will be no surprises in the future. This joint decision-making process not only empowers citizens to carve their destiny with their own hands, it rids the public officials of their personal blind spots in perspectives - and let's face it, protect the officials from the ugly tentacles of vested interest. A public scrutiny will erase those possibilities. We reckon "study more, guess less" - is a good lesson as any to give perspective to the whole exercise.

The project which cost almost P1 billion will surely be a thing which every Tagbilaranon should be consulted about. The amount is no sneezing matter, to start with.

Availing of a loan (no matter how minimal is the interest) would still be something to worry about by the next batch of City Hall captains because that is mortgaging the future of Boholanos since the P1 billion is a loan (and not a grant) and which must be paid.

A P28 million annual interest will not be that easy (if the figures we heard are right) by availing of an assumed P750 million loan. That's just the tip of the iceberg because the city will have to pay for the principal amount. The City Hall should present cash-flow projections to show where the revenues will come from to settle the debt. We cannot perpetually borrow from Peter in order to pay Paul. Do we have that ready?

That cost has also to be viewed likewise - in relative terms - to what it brings in order to address the future concerns of the city like, zoning, traffic, development of business, livelihood and addressing the environmental concerns such as sewerage and pollution.

We have seen projects in the towns and province that turned out as "eye sores" if not "small white elephants" since the community at large was not consulted. Those tasked to govern simply wanted their personal benefits resulting from the projects than the community good, that's why.

But the idea of a referendum is indeed a refreshing perspective - like a whiff of fresh jasmine through the night. Let's all go for it!

Apologists for the GMA Administration had always described criticisms against Government as "political noise", obstructionism, or destabilizing - depending on whether it is Cerge Remonde, Ignacio Bunye or the twin Gonzaleses speaking. In that order of reasoning.

In fairness, playing poodles to the Palace is part of their job description. It's just a day's work.

But public records speak for themselves.

The United Nations - the Government of Nations- through its Rapporteur came to the Philippines last year and condemned the atrocious human rights records of this country Over 800 missing or murdered people-through extra-judicial means- is a large number (under GMA Rule) compared to the total of the over 3,000 in the entire 16 years of Marcos' dreaded Martial Law. That's not the local critics talking.

The world's Robocop - the USA- had threatened to reduce its military aid to the Philippines unless RP installs much-needed reforms. US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney herself condemned the indecent haste by which the scandalous NBN-ZTE Broadband deal was awarded in the midst of blatant, astronomically high bribes.

That's not the local critics talking.

Transparency International that researches on all nations - had canonized the only Christian nation in Asia - the Philippines as the region's "most corrupt nation." That's not the local critics talking.

Last week , the World Bank - the bank of banks - who had lent to all countries -from America to Africa to Zaire - stopped the US 232-Million of the Phase II of the Road Projects in the Philippines until it sees genuine reforms in the Bidding and Procurement Process. The World Bank has the names of contractors and officials under collusion to cheat the country under the name of "development". Does that sound familiar? That's not the local critics talking.

Budget secretary Rolando Andaya trapped himself with his big mouth when he said that "there was some flaw in the criteria set by World Bank that led to quotes higher than the actual cost of the Project." Since he knew that all along and as a responsible public official - he did not stop the process. Why? Did that process benefit the contractors and friends of the Palace and local politicians? That's the local critics asking.

Meantime, a broad coalition of church, civic society and militant groups will set rallies on November 30 (this Friday) to decry the shameful (maka-ulaw, nakakahiya) condition our country had dug itself And tell the nation we need heroes today on National Heroes Day.

Solidarity Philippines said "We cannot have a nation without a soul, governance without morality."

We challenge public officials and their private sector allies - say honestly today, you are not part of this?

For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com Or editor@boholchronicle.com