4th Dist. constituents welcome Anti-Epal Bill

PEOPLE of Kananga and Palompon towns generally welcome Senate Bill No. 1967, commonly known as the “Anti-Epal Bill” as indicated by the positive response from interviews by this author. The bill, entitled “An Act Prohibiting Public Officers from Claiming Credit through Signage Announcing a Public Works Project,” is introduced by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

It aims to illegalize the placing of billboards and signages bearing politicians’ names and faces on public works projects. “Epal” is a Filipino slang for “mapapel” which Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros describes as “people who are constantly in dire need of attention.”
 

Judith Merriam Fontanoza, tourism officer designate of Kananga town describes as “shameless” politicians who are fond of displaying their names and faces. “Nganong dili man sab sila mauwaw?” she said, referring to the tarpaulins bearing the faces of the congresswoman and her brother scattered all over town.

Another municipal employee, Ricardo, 28 of Brgy. Montebello believes that the bill’s approval should be fast-tracked to remove what he termed as “eyesores.” He cited an example the name of the congresswoman painted on schoolhouses as if laying claim on those buildings even if she didn’t build them.

Barangay Captain Noel Gomez believes that strict enforcement should be observed once the bill is approved. He also couldn’t see the logic of writing the name of Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez on schoolhouses’ walls.
 

Uldarico Navarro, 33, president of Mahawan Farmers Association in Kananga said politicians should set an example to their constituents. “Dili man sab maayo tan-awon nga malukop na lang sa nawong sa politiko ang mga karsada,” he commented.
 

Rustico Tapales, 40, owner of a shoe repair stall in Palompon town observes that the tarpaulins of Rep. Gomez are scattered at the Palompon-Isabel highway even if there are no project announcements. “Na, mapono na lang ang mga karsada og mga tarpaulin kung dili ni sila bawalan, magpatuyang lang!” he said.

Efren Naya, 36, an overseas Filipino worker of Ipil I, Palompon is convinced that the bill has more advantages than disadvantages considering the practice of putting up tarpaulins has been abused in Leyte 4th District. His father, former Barangay Captain Alfredo Nayra agrees, saying the practice is unnecessary. by Gerardo C. Reyes, Jr.

(WLWE issue of Nov. 7-13, 2011)