There will be little progress when there is no community unity.

For instance, the lack of unity was apparently behind the nearly aborted Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet (CVIRAA) which is on its final leg today at the Carlos Garcia Sports Complex.

The event almost became a "non-event" after the City Government (which earlier offered to host the event) backed out with a note that it will host the event, but not in the city but in the neighboring city of Cebu. If that happened, it could be one for the Guinness Book of Records - a city hosting an event but not in her geographic area.

It was akin to hosting a dinner but in a neighbor's house (not in the host's house).

If that unfortunate plan was carried out, the neighboring provinces would have then sensed that there could be something wrong happening in Bohol which is known for its hospitality. It was a potential public relations' nightmare.

It was a good thing the Capitol and City Hall decided to work on the table. At first, Mayor Dan Lim voiced out that he seemed not to be getting the support of the provincial governance which Gov. Erico Aumentado strongly denied. A mere "communication gap" was all it took to almost abort the hosting. The public somewhat saw the "fatherly" gesture of the Governor in saving the event. We saw both officials at the opening of the CVIRAA last Tuesday. Applause.

But, the message was clear that if only can LGUs unite, many things can get accomplished. There is a lesson to be learned there.

What the public would like to witness after that CVIRAA experience are the united hands of Capitol and City Hall in solving the flooding in the city. For several months now, it remained a showcase of finger-pointing frenzy including the issue as to who was to cut the illegal connections to the city's drainage coming from more than 30 business establishments. Both LGUs has the list, but no one dared to cut the connections until now. That's a disappointing and cowardly governance style, let's be frank.

Since no one dared to cut a single illegal connection, then we moved forward on how to treat the sewerage before reaching its outfall facing the Tagbilaran City Port. The much-talked about water treatment facility is what is being waited for - up to how long?

Without this, the flooding will continue since the drainage flow can not be flushed out to the seawaters because the DENR will never allow that. And there's maverick lawyer Victor de la Serna you had to hurdle since the drainage outfall is situated in his lot property.

Earlier, we heard the Capitol offered fund assistance for the much needed facility. But, it seems the offer fell on deaf ears because City hall has not reacted. Instead, the city lawmakers passed a resolution last week allowing Mayor Lim to avail of a loan to be used for the water treatment facility. We want to hear of a logical reason - there has to be one - why the Capitol's offer for fund assistance was not accepted with open arms. In fact, the public expects fund assistance not just from the governor but from the three congressmen as well since the flooding/drainage problem is affecting not Tagbilaranons, but Boholanos. Everyone knows the city is the gateway to the province.

We sincerely hope to see hands uniting together to address this grave concern. Let's prove to the world that the days of the "ija-ija, aho-aho" mentality of the Boholanos is a thing of the past.

For the City Hall, we expect a more humble gesture of considering offers of assistance in order to fast track this major concern. Let us not wait for some epidemic to erupt due to bacterial infection borne out of these flooding of sewage coming from the city's drainage system. This environmental concern might turn into a serious community health problem. If this happens (God forbid) we only have ourselves to blame - especially those with eyes but refuse to see.

"60" EARTH HOUR

Last night - between 8 to 9 in the evening - an event made world history. Dubbed "60" Earth Hour, many cities and countries around the globe "turned off the lights" for 60 minutes as a symbolic world effort to stop global warming. Some couples even had wedding by candle light last night - to dramatize the point.

Global warming - and the unabated use of power and energy that largely cause it - is the greatest challenge of mankind in this century. So from Copenhagen, Sydney to Toronto, Chicago, to Brisbane, Tel Aviv to Munich, Manila, the effort was coordinated to show how together - the Earthlings can make a difference in saving planet Earth. Even the cities of China linked up with the world sponsored by two Western products - Coca Cola and Macdonald. How global could we get?

It was a heartwarming event to see - or not to see (it was dark remember?) - but the crystal-clear message raced across the globe via satellite: Earthlings place high value on life for all.

"60 Earth Hour" was first launched in Sydney Australia on March 31, 2007 which moved 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses to do "lights off" for 60 minutes. It aimed at taking off 5% of the gas emissions in Sydney which is the equivalent to taking off 480,000 medium sized cars off the streets. The Australian city decreased its energy use by 10.2% by that one hour sacrifice which saw two of the city's icons of attractions like the Harbour Bay and the Opera House shadowed by darkness.

The Sydneysiders made a strong point in 2007 - now the whole world noticed. Let's do more things like this.

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