Comments on: We Could Use A Few More Optimists Here http://philfaqs.com/editorials/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/ Move Philippines, Jobs Philippines, Business Philippines Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:38:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mindanao Bob http://philfaqs.com/editorials/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/comment-page-1/#comment-2730 Mindanao Bob Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:35:47 +0000 http://philfaqs.com/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/#comment-2730 Hi Dave (oops.... Philly) - :-) I don't know that the 5 years is precise, but it's been around that long that our 911 system has been operational. When it comes to getting cooperation from people like the Electric Company, when Mayor Duterte talks - people listen and act! Davao is very forward thinking. We also have other things in place that are common around the world, but limited to Davao in the Philippines. For example, we have garbage segregation and recycling. All trash must be segregated into different categories before pickup. If you don't segregate properly, you can actually go to jail for that! Mayor Duterte is a big fan of putting people in jail if they don't follow the policies! We had the first anti-smoking law in the country too. About 6 years ago that was instituted. Lots of people went to jail for smoking a cigarette in a public place! Amazing.... it's forward thinking - in a backwards sort of way! :-) Hi Dave (oops…. Philly) – :-) I don’t know that the 5 years is precise, but it’s been around that long that our 911 system has been operational. When it comes to getting cooperation from people like the Electric Company, when Mayor Duterte talks – people listen and act!

Davao is very forward thinking. We also have other things in place that are common around the world, but limited to Davao in the Philippines. For example, we have garbage segregation and recycling. All trash must be segregated into different categories before pickup. If you don’t segregate properly, you can actually go to jail for that! Mayor Duterte is a big fan of putting people in jail if they don’t follow the policies! We had the first anti-smoking law in the country too. About 6 years ago that was instituted. Lots of people went to jail for smoking a cigarette in a public place! Amazing…. it’s forward thinking – in a backwards sort of way! :-)

]]> By: Philly http://philfaqs.com/editorials/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/comment-page-1/#comment-2729 Philly Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:17:27 +0000 http://philfaqs.com/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/#comment-2729 Interesting, Bob. I guess I was surprised to know that it has been in operation 5 years. You would think it would have spread to at least a few other cities by now. It's funny to me ... in the non-humorous sense ... because I worked with similar programs in the US and the electric utilities ... even those that were city-owned were frequently reluctant to help out their community with the data they had already collected. I would guess that the mayor probably "leaned" on someone somewhere along the way to get them into a "public spirited" mood. Really proves up my contention, though, that so often the Philippines lags in many issues not because of it's status, but because it "believes" the third-world rubbish excuse. It's like a kid with mild dyslexia ... just becuase s/he may have alittle difficulty keeping the "i" and the "e" from transposing doesn't mean s/he can't learn. Interesting, Bob. I guess I was surprised to know that it has been in operation 5 years. You would think it would have spread to at least a few other cities by now. It’s funny to me … in the non-humorous sense … because I worked with similar programs in the US and the electric utilities … even those that were city-owned were frequently reluctant to help out their community with the data they had already collected. I would guess that the mayor probably “leaned” on someone somewhere along the way to get them into a “public spirited” mood.

Really proves up my contention, though, that so often the Philippines lags in many issues not because of it’s status, but because it “believes” the third-world rubbish excuse. It’s like a kid with mild dyslexia … just becuase s/he may have alittle difficulty keeping the “i” and the “e” from transposing doesn’t mean s/he can’t learn.

]]> By: Mindanao Bob http://philfaqs.com/editorials/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/comment-page-1/#comment-2727 Mindanao Bob Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:11:25 +0000 http://philfaqs.com/phils-editorals/we-could-use-a-few-more-optimists-here/#comment-2727 Hi Dave - As you know, I live in Davao. I've used the 911 system before, and it really works. The 911 center is located in the heart of town, near the Marco Polo Hotel. I believe that the 911 system has been in place for about 5 years now, as I recall. Like you, my hat is off to Mayor Duterte on this! Hi Dave – As you know, I live in Davao. I’ve used the 911 system before, and it really works. The 911 center is located in the heart of town, near the Marco Polo Hotel. I believe that the 911 system has been in place for about 5 years now, as I recall. Like you, my hat is off to Mayor Duterte on this!

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