Sometimes, Business consultants conclude "less government is better."

The Private Sector operates better because it has "F" - flexibility - in the sense that its projects are not delayed by bureaucratic red tape and politics. Likewise, in fairness, the demand for public services is almost infinite but the Government resources are finite and limited by deficits and by rule of law and procedure.

Consider for instance, the move of millionaire-philanthropist Ambassador Chan. He is a Chinaman who is most remotely connected to the Boholano forbears like Datu Siktuna and the rebel Dagohoy. But his heart is moved by everything "Bohol."

Falling in love with Loboc, he erected the pretty Loboc Children's Palace and soon to light up the evening smash of that tourist hit that is the Loboc River and added spunk and tourist man hours to the bustling tourism industry in that side of town. It was as if he just drew a bank check from his pocket - and pronto - paradise gained. All in a matter of weeks.

Consider, on the other hand, the water situation in the fabled island of Panglao. For years they have been debating where to get potable water, the very mineral man - tourist, king or slave - cannot live for long without. Now a Miracle Worker has stepped into the decades-long debate - full of saliva and signifying nothing. It is the Cebu-based Mactan Rock that promised potable water - technology and all - for at least 300 hotel rooms as sampler.

The proposal backed by Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala - is now opposed by the Sangguniang Bayan - both opposition and allies of the mayor in one boat. Why is that?

Is this a cauldron of politics and vested financial interest exploding to the brim for all the people to see? Can the Panglao officialdom stop embarrassing themselves before the world - who already know what their individual motives are?

Stop technicalities - about pieces of paper - they can be produced by the Mactan Rock - if the officialdom really wants potable water in the island soon. They can even assist the firm to legitimize their claim and look at the Big Picture. It has been years of wasted debate boys, let's get real.

Perhaps the intervention of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado and Rep. Edgar Chatto must be called here because the issue is a major one. If these government officials in Panglao cannot even solve a matter like this, how long will they resolve issues involving that billion-peso international airport they will play host to? We dread to imagine.

In the city, amid public curses and polite sighs, the public is waiting that the pollution, flooding and environmental harm done by the lack of water treatment facility and good drainage be eradicated soon. They have been made to suffer for far too long.

Meantime, the roads as well become potholes, damaged by unwanted floodwaters - creating a double whammy problem.

It is good that an engineer of international caliber Engr. Cecil Corloncito is in town (through the mayor's efforts) to help City Hall solve the mess. But it appears the best timetable is for Tagbilaran City to get water treatment facility by September. We hope the heavy rainfall in 2008 will not overtake that date.

Three months for feasibility study and bidding process and six months to construct.

Let's watch this new timetable. Business, the public and government must share the burden of erecting and operating this facility.

The other timetable we are watching is the conversion of the Eyesore no. 1 - the Agora complex - into a busy commercial venture. Mayor Lim has announced resumption of work and the brand new Agora is expected by early 2008. Let's not celebrate before that date.

Given the natural limitations of Government, it behooves our LGUs to even be more creative and more professional with the handling of basic demands of the constituency that elected them to office.

That kind of sensitivity not only becomes them but is expected as part of the public trust on them "to seek the public good at the fastest time and the most inexpensive way possible." Governance is really quite as simple as that.

ROMULO NERI: LAST MAN STANDING

The Senate should not push Boholano former NEDA Director Romulo "Romy" Neri to the wall much further. The man is smart and he has done enough.

The Senate investigators should look at him as an ally, not an enemy-fugitive. Neri is one of the last few good men we know is married to his country and people.

After all, how many Cabinet men would have the balls to condemn a high-ranking official like a Comelec Commissioner (Abalos) of offering him P200 million and still retain his job in government?

By his 11-hour testimony before the senate and that of Joey de Venecia who cried the First Gentleman tried to intervene in the ZTE-NBN deal, they resulted in tangible gains: (a) the resignation of Abalos and (b) the cancellation of the ZTE-NBN scandalous contract. Aren't they not sources for rejoicing?

Neri has done the country good but he is also a student of Philippine law even if he is not a lawyer. He had asked for a TRO on the Senate's arrest orders on him from his various snubbing of Senate summons and is pending in the courts. He is also convinced the Executive Privilege of "omerta" on official discussions has legal grounds.

Based on the above, therefore, Neri's counsels are of the opinion that the Senate is trying to play "king" over the courts (judiciary) and the Executive (president GMA).

That is why the issue on Neri's prospective Senate arrest should be resolved quickly before the Supreme Court - the final arbiter of the meaning of the law.

The fugitive clearly is Rodolfo Lozada, CEO of the government-owned Philippine Forest Corporation, who promised to squeal and then skipped to Hongkong under heavy guards two hours before he was to testify before the senate. Lozada should be brought back to RP and testify - because he knows the technical details of the overpricing and who among GMA's officials partook of the alleged US$ 70-million (about P350-million) advanced money.

Lozada would corroborate Neri's statements and pin down certain people criminally because of his vast knowledge. Neri had done his part, just let him be.

Frustrated, Neri could resign and as private citizen can no longer be compelled by any government entity to testify. Do you want that?

Already as a knowledgeable and incorruptible public official, Neri knows so much about "corruption in high places." Already he is a folk hero to some for his bravery - even if it appears calculated now. He has his reasons.

Remember how he, a Boholano, had pointed an accusing finger at the overpriced Bayongan Dam (BHIP-2) and termed it as the most "expensive dam" at P600,000 per hectare cost and the officials concerned of figuratively "buying a BMW when it was authorized to buy a Toyota?"- and said publicly on nationwide television? Who will testify when the Senate begins hearing on this and other cases that helped the Philippines clinch the distinction as the "most corrupt nation in Asia" with Neri out?

Neri and Lozada are smarter than all of us assume. We are certain hidden safely in lock and key are testimonies - written affidavits and video tape recordings - telling the world about ZTE_NBN and other crooked deals. Even if they deny their existence - such are their only insurance they will remain alive. And Neri is no dumb fool.

Who knows he is really Malacañang's "attack dog" against people GMA cannot personally confront. Because if not, why is the Palace coddling him and insuring his safety? He may be the Palace and the country's "last man standing," for all we know.

Let's watch out for the next Neri Episode.

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