By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The question was, what would they look foor in a candidate? But most of the response of those interviewed Baguio folks said that their choice for a mayor is the one who can bring back the glory days of the city being the Philippines’ summer capital.

Crisanta Salig, born and grew up here in Baguio said that she prefers to vote for a candidate who she can expect to bring back the title of Baguio as the country’s main summer attraction.”Ti kayat ko ket diay maisubli na ti kinapintas ti Baguio,” (What I like is that he can bring back the beauty of Baguio) Crisanta said.

Salig added that she likes a mayor who can solve the trash problem. “Adda kuma utek na nga mangkita nu anya ti kamayatan a solusyon iti problema ti basura, maysa pay gayam ket ti nakaro a trapik ngay” ( he should have the brain to solve the garbage problem, one thing more is the traffic), she said.

Rudy, an Irisan resident who requested not to mention his surname said that his choice of a mayor is one who can really address the land problem. “A true to his word candidate”, he said, “who has the guts to investigate the land mafia that haunts every resident here tagged by the government as informal settlers. “Kaya na pay kuma nga ipahold dagiti demolition ket maresolba ti kaso ti daga a pabor kuma kadakami ababassit” (One who can delay the demoliton and the land case will be solved favoring us the poor), said Rudy.

Vendor Sydney Duy-as, hopes for a candidate who can give fair treatment to ambulant vendors like her. Duy-as said that she is already tired of listening to the promises of candidates for a place for them where they can ply their trade.

“Diay kuma met a agmayor, ket diay saan nga a basta-basta dakami ipatiliw a dagus weno ipadimolis dagiti laklako mi, diay adda konsensiya na a mangbirok nu anya ti mayat nga ikasta tapno saan kami la a kanayon a diay maab-abog lang a kasla aso (I prefer a mayor who does not just get us arrested immediately or demolish our stalls, the one who has a conscience to help look for a solution so that we will not always be driven away like dogs), Duy-as ended.

Jethro, a student said that he likes officials who can be a role model to the youth and students. “Ang gusto ko sa kanya ay ‘yung hindi siya nainvolve sa usapin ng korapsiyon o anomalya, yung puwede mong ipagmalaki ba” (what I like is that he has not been involved in corruption or anomalies, the one you can be proud of) he said.

Nursing student Loryline said she will vote for a candidate who can assist graduating students like her find a job. “Yung handa siyang tumulong sa mga katulad ko na maghanap ng trabaho, tsaka, mayron siyang political will na iregularisa at istriktong isegurado ang mga batas para sa boarding houses, may mga mahal maningil kasi tapos hindi naman inaayos yung bahay, kadalasan, delikado pa sa sunog”( he is always willing to help those like me, looking for jobs, and, he has the political will to regularize and strictly ensure the laws on boarding houses. There are those (landlords) who charge too much but do not fix the boarding houses, oftentimes, they are fire hazards), Loryline said.

Elmo Gatus, a jogger in Burnham park said that his bet is the one who loves Baguio as his own. “Ang gusto ko ay yung hindi niya ibebenta ang Baguio” (What I prefer is the one who will not sell Baguio), Gatus added.# nordis.net