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Lim defends demolition
By: KIT BAGAIPO
Tagbilaran
Mayor Dan Lim yesterday defended the demolition of illegal
structures at the Causeway fish terminal and the Dao public
market saying this is part of the continuing drive to instill
order in the city.
"The
problem is we want progress but we are not willing to pay
the price for it," Lim declared in an interview yesterday.
The
mayor said the demolition of illegal structures at the fish
terminal was "long overdue."
"The
vendors were given a permit to build stalls to shelter them
from the sun and the rain. They abused this by constructing
permanent structures that are not related to the original
intention," he added.
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Lim
said that billiard halls, drinking pubs and video bars
have sprouted at the fish terminal including a fish
pen under a permanent structure.
"They
have turned the place into an entertainment area that
has become a breeding ground for police characters,"
the mayor added.
Lim
noted that intelligence operatives have monitored the
movement of illegal drugs in the area "which is
not surprising".
"The
place has become a hub for people who have little respect
for the law," he added.
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The
mayor disputed claims by vendors that he has no sympathy for
the poor saying that what he saw are people who have all the
time and the money to spend on their vices.
"There
are many poor people in the outlying barangays who never bothered
the city and did not ask for special privileges like those
at the fish terminal," Lim added.
He
said that the irony of it is that many of those who resist
the government's programs are people "who are not from
Tagbilaran".
Lim
declared that he has long warned the occupants of the illegal
structures but they did not listen because they did not believe
the mayor will pursue the demolition.
"This
should be a warning to all who think I am afraid of the political
consequences," he added.
The
mayor said he has repeatedly declared that he is more concerned
about history than about people who are only after their own
interest.
Lim
stressed that he has always considered his position as a temporary
covenant from the people which is renewable every three years.
"I
stake my performance every election because I believe our
people know better than those who have a personal agenda,"
he added.
Lim
said a leader should listen to everybody but he should be
the one to make the final decision because he cannot please
everybody.
"There
will always be critics no matter what you do. I would prefer
that people criticize me for doing right than for doing wrong,"
he declared.
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