Prudence & Community Garbage (Mar. 30, 2015)

Cartoon by Reymark Banania

Prudence.  Plato wrote in "The Republic" that the greatest trait  leaders, or what he called "Philosopher-Kings", should possess, is prudence.
       Prudence is the ability to foresee things that can go wrong and act accordingly to prevent that impending event.  In case it could not be prevented, such as an incoming typhoon, then prudence dictates that the leader should at least take appropriate and timely measures that will mitigate the ill-effects of the inescapable occurrence.

Ang kakayahang mabasa ang maaaring masamang mangyari at gumawa ng paraan para maiwasan ito... kung hindi man ay magawan ng paraan para maiwasan ang masamang maidudulot ng hindi mapigilang pangyayari, tulad ng isang bagyo.

       We have in today's issue at least two things that reflect, or will reflect, the presence of prudence (or lack thereof) among officers and ordinary citizens of Manito.
   
       First, there is this garbage problem in Dulong-Bayan of Brgy. It-Ba.  Manito seems to be rightly positioning itself as a tourist and eco-destination.  The Kamanitohan river seems to be at the center of plans to promote river and mangrove tourism.  If so, then the government must act prudently and decisively deal with the growing garbage dump that is just meters above the river.  Garbage will continue to multiply with development.  It will not go away on its own initiative.  Garbage does not have its own hands and feet nor a brain that can send itself where it rightly belongs.

Ang problema sa basura sa Dulong-Bayan ay kailangang masolusyonan bago pa ito lumala.
 
       Second is this incident at the Community College of Manito.  A lump (bukol) on the head of a student, painful as it is, may only be slight.  Things can get more ugly; but should we even wait for it to be so?  Why weren't any police officers or barangay tanods present at the start of the foundation day dance?  Why did they have to wait for a Municipal Kagawad to bring law enforcers in the area despite a letter sent well in advance?

       Furthermore, why did police officers even ask for a letter from the school administrators that night?  Shouldn't prudent public servants act PRO-ACTIVELY, even without a letter?  Isn't it enough for a reasonably prudent man or woman to be on guard as they can hear music in the open air?

       Tourism can and should visit Manito. We wouldn't want to lose this opportunity simply because we failed at an earlier time to arrest it. Peace and order is on the list of any potential tourist.  If we can't proactively protect our own local students, how can tourists continue to feel safe and want to keep coming back for more of what Manito is rearing to offer?

Ang mga turistang makakatulong sa kabuhayan ng mga taga-Manito ay maaakit at maitataboy ng kalinisan at kapayapaan sa kapaligiran.  Kailangan itong aktibong pinangagalagaan.  Ito ay inaaksyunan sa unang pagkakataon at hindi naghihintay ng sulat.

       We need prudent leaders and citizens, not reactionary ones -- those who will take action even before something unwanted occurs.