Inayan is a common expression that you will hear here in the mountains of the Cordilleras.
A single three-syllable word (i-na-yan) that sums up the golden rule and that also includes nature, human and animals. This is already in our veins, part of our culture that should always be nurtured, remembered and applied.
We say "Inayan" to warn others not to do bad or evil, to respect others and nature too. This is to remind us to be mindful of our actions and words.
"Adim ar-aramiden sa tay inayan." Don't do that because for it might harm you.
We would always be told that when we were kids. The adults may not give us the reason why. Although we vaguely understand that "inayan" is bad, we still follow what was told us.
Which then brings me to my post in noise about what happened to our electric cooperative.
As much as I don't want to take sides because I don't know the whole story, what the appointed General Manager did was unforgivable.
I tried to read as much as I can about the issue but it's really full of toxicity that it just makes one feel sad really. We are a peaceful-loving people but too much is enough.
Some said that the previous GM had a case pending in court but he did not like to step down. There were talks of harassment, employing relatives in high positions, etc. Don't quote me on that for those are just what I have read in social media. I just want to know how this all came down to such chaos and rocked this peaceful city.
Then came this attorney which was appointed by the national agency to be the new GM. However, according to the guidelines of the national agency, GMs should be chosen by the board. What the national agency can do is to forward their recommendation and still the board will decide if that person is qualified or not. This attorney has no experience at all about electric cooperative. She was not there when the recent typhoon hit the city which caused disruption in power to some areas because of destruction brought about by the typhoon. Who were the ones doing the job restoring power? Until now some areas still have no power because work had to be stopped.
The supervisor of the national agency and the supposed new GM then stormed the office bringing with them police to assist them so that they can takeover the management of the electric company by force. That was the last straw.
The whole process from selection of new GM up to that force takeover had been questionable. Inayan!
The people have had enough and decided to take matters into their hands to stop this abuse.
The mayor of the city intervened and had been in talks with both the parties. The people rallied in hundreds to show their unity and stand against abuse.
Some were questioning the act of the mayor. Why did he intervene? As the steward of the city, should he just stand and watch? This is an issue that affects everyone including him. He did the right thing to do what needs to be done in his power to settle things peacefully.
During the rally, the GM appointed by the national agency together with her team, evacuated the place without a fight.
Except for one person who is now a laughingstock.
He was a former employee who hit someone with his fist and tried to escape only to fall and injured himself. Some of the police who were there to make sure peace is maintained surrounded him to protect him. It was photographed and circulated in social media. For if they did not do that, things would have escalated and things would have ended badly especially for that guy. He was brought to the hospital for treatment.
Now here's another kicker. His team exaggerated the story. The attorney posted the photo and captioned that the rally was not peaceful for those who were against them beat some people. They even issued a medicolegal certification stating the injuries sustained by the guy which was according to the attorney as an effect from his beating when in reality it was self-inflicted injury. There were witnesses, photos and videos to prove that they were spreading lies. Even the address of the hospital on the certification was wrong. It was obviously fake. Their whole act had been a joke and they are the ones looking like a fool.
This is a lesson to us all that we should be aware of what is going on around us for there are issues that affects us whether we like it or not. Just because you think it does not directly affect you, think again. We should be vigilant for there are those who will abuse their power.
Use the power of social media to warn others of such acts but be careful still. Think before you click.
Warn, so that others won't make the same mistakes made in previous times.