ABOUT OUR TOWN
By Chi Padua
2005 DEC, San Antonio - Recently I visited San Antonio and managed to meet with the 55 SASDCI scholars.
They are thankful for the monetary help extended to them. They were also thankful for
the Silver Anniversary souvenir T-shirts.
On a different note, we noticed the state of the town plaza is getting depressing.
While almost everytime I am in town those "mini-rides" are parked in the middle of the plaza,
the main problem is that the permit given to these businesses encompass not only the amusement
rides but also theie "peryahan" which is mainly a gambling operation. Young people flock
to the "peryahan" and one does not see the positive contribution provides to the community.
The perya being so close to two schools should draw concern from the parents and school
administrators. So, maybe the "perya" only operates at night. But surely our local government
leaders have the time to look into alternate businesses that bring not only income but also positive
upshot to the kind of "amusement" provided to the people particularly to the young citizens of our community.
This brings me to the core of concern brought to my attention by a local softball player. A few
years ago, the local government solicited funding from SASDCI for a "baseball backstop" to be erected in
the town plaza. The project was approved because we are aware of the benefits of sports like baseball. It
was heartbreaking to learn that it has not been used since because baseball no longer has space in
the "crowded" plaza.
On the left field, the Senior Citizen Hall is likened to a private residence complete with concrete
water tank and concrete fence. Sports enthusiasts are now worried if there will ever be games in the
designated ball field as the Senior Citizen "private gardens" might continue to encroach into their space.
It is believed that there exists a local ordinance which provides that only recreational and
sports-related facilities will be constructed within the boundaries of the town plaza. Ano'ng nangyari?
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