Thursday morning, April 18, I made a quick visit to the Mega Market of Kidapawan City just to shake hands and at the same time assess through the reaction of the people my acceptability as a political candidate.
What I discovered nearly swept me off my feet.
It was not just a warm reception. It was in fact a wild reception.
There was an obvious festive mood as I entered the market as vendors and stall owners most of whom I know personally having been to the market many times in the past, asked me to have photos with them.
I was overjoyed by the reaction of the people especially when some of them hugged me so tight with tears in their eyes asking me not to allow cheating to succeed again.
“Please, please do not allow them to cheat us again,” one woman vendor asked me crying as she hugged me tightly.
They complained that since I was out of power, life has become more difficult for them in the market.
Added to their woes are the brownouts which affect their businesses and the very high taxation and rentals in the Mega Market.
My three candidates for councilor in the city, former judge Francis Palmones Jr., Engr. Peter Salac and Dr. Roberto Omandac, were asked to look into the very high tax assessments on the vendors.
The vendors also expressed fears over the impact of the construction of two huge malls in the city on their small businesses.
“We do not know how the two Gaisano malls will affect us,” the vendors told me.
Listening to them, I learned a lot. I learned about people’s fears, frustrations, dreams and aspirations.
As a leader, you do not learn these lessons sitting in an airconditioned room. You get to know people’s feelings by talking to them.
This is the beauty of being with the people.
(Photo caption: A picture of happy vendors who posed with me Engr. Salac, Dr. Omandac and Judge Palmones. Ferdinand Pinol)
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