As Tagbilaran turns 42 as a city on Tuesday, undeniably we see changes. A lot in fact compared to other cities in the country.

From what she was years ago, dramatic progress has been seen.Let's be a little graphic.

Where before,even tartanillas were scarce, today thousands of tricycles scoot through the thoroughfares and the latest vehicle models -thank you OFWs and Tourism- careen into meaningful halts at street corners. Where before there were flea-beaten movie seats at the Ideal, Melrose , Filipinas or Maharlika theaters,now stand class -A theaters with movies shown simultaneously with those in Manila. Where before all went home to have meals and merienda, today one has the choices among varied franchise eateries all over town.

Or while before the dwarfish "Nong Verino", the intrepid barber on foot had brisk business, now classy barbershops and beauty salons plus health spas and massage joints sprout in gay abandon -just to add humor to the point.

This we can say without fear of contradiction happened due to the aggressiveness of local businessmen who believed in the future of the city. In celebration of the City charter day, the Chronicle would wish to express appreciation for leaders in the community who made this growing city walk ten feet tall.

But just about the most remarkable first thing we can notice in the city is the presence of locally owned shopping malls which are of Manila standard, so to speak.

And this is because of two (major) institutions who challenged their minds on how to build good shopping malls in the city.

Marlito Uy of Alturas Group who constructed Island City Mall, four years ago, is one fine example. To all visiting guests, they would expect a Shoemart or a Robinson to be in the midst of this growing city. But, instead they find ICM, Plaza Marcela and Alturas.

The prominent existence of BQ Mall of the Ongs under the stewardship of Fred Ong, on the other hand, and that of the Shoppers Mart of the Huan family in the downtown area, complete the projection of a growing metropolis.

We also commend a family whose second generation decided to put in their businesses here -the family of the late Atanacio Yap. The sons Boy (BGY Entrprises), Warren (Wrenleys Apliance Center/Wregent Plaza), Albert (AY Marketing), John (Bohol Tropics), Cliffton (Lica Trading), Cecil (YYY Home Builders) have stayed in the city over the years.None of the family members has migrated abroad (unlike many of the Boholano families).

But, the primary reason for this booming economy is still the tourism magnet that Bohol has become.. Investors are eyeing Bohol as a "jewel" because of what it offers for tourism development.

But, it is sad to say that the city which is the gateway of tourists has nothing to offer to visiting guests except the presentable seaport terminal of Starlite and the well managed port by the Philippine Ports Authority. The city, as it turns 42 on Tuesday, should look on how it can dovetail its development plan with the ongoing tourism boom we see in Bohol.

The fact is, we don't have what is known as a city tour.. The irony of it all is that when tourists want a city tour, they can only be brought to the local shopping malls which the tourists expect the least. The city government should wake up to reality that "tourism is the real thing in Bohol and she cannot escape it being the entry/exit point to this island paradise." Any bright ideas there for a half-day city tour - to include the President Garcia Ancestral House, perhaps?

We likewise appeal to City Mayor Dan Lim to start his long time promise of concreting the main roads in the city particularly Gallares street, the entry road from the city port. The road condition in the city is indeed deplorable.

On the other hand,the pending issue on the drainage should be city hall's priority before any major pollution issue erupts when the drainage outfall along Graham Avenue will be opened to the seawaters off the city bay. The public awaits what's the latest on the Mayor's commitment for a water treatment facility.

The other intrinsic element for progress is that of a nurturing "business climate" which has to be attended more passionately to by the City Government so as to continue the momentum of growth,. The public expects City Hall to grow (by whatever means) the figurative "wider listening ear to the pleas of the business sector."

But as the city turns 42, we can not also ignore the good accomplishments of the City Government in terms of a well managed garbage collection program and the truly commendable attention given to the health care of the poor residents of the city. The public peace and order situation, while somewhat shaky in the past, is now quite in order.

Let us not fail to mention the expressed City Hall concern for the education of public elementary schools and for the elderly. These should be perpetuated by whoeever be the next mayor (after Dan Lim) this term or the next.

It is now 5th year of Mayor Lim and the constituents expect some major things to happen.At least his commitment to finish the Agora Complex during his first term seems to be taking shape this time.The public appreciates City Hall's rightful abandonment of the Growth City project which only served to apparently paralyze development in the area since Lim's assumption as mayor. We hope that investors, like those for housing projects and memorial parks in the area can now be accomodated by City Hall.

Finally, the City Chief Executive has to be praised for his patience in regularly communicating to his constituents through his weekly Mayor's Report over the airlanes.

Constructively, the public would appreciate it more if the weekly time of the mayor can discuss projects (on going and future) rather than devote inordinate time on mundane issues dwelling on personalities which we believe sometimes does not fit to a level of a mayor.

There are mayor and there are mayors. And substance is better than style.

And Mayor Dan Lim is not the shrinking violet type of mayor who definitely has his own style. Even as a student leader here and in Silliman University, the Mayor had this uncanny ability to deal with both the rich and the famous as easily as with the billiard boys and the drinking crowd.Maybe he is really a true-blue politician, sometimes mouthing the language of both ends of the social spectrum. But be that as it may.

Maybe it is just a question of balance- for the Mayor to treat projects and personal tirades with equal time and equal gusto.We are sure the Mayor knows what we mean.

In retrospect,we join the city in celebrating the Charter Day with grateful memories of former city mayors Venancio Inting, Rolando Butalid, Jose Ma. Rocha and Joe Torralba for their individual contributions during their tenure as city chief executive.

The City of Tagbilaran, like many other cities, is a work in progress. Let us support our city Government in building stone upon stone, brick by brick as we move every year- from todays 42nd Charter Day to our Golden Year Anniversary in the year 2016 - a city transformed like no other that we can all be proud of.

Mabuhay Tagbilaran City!

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