Is this really Los Banos?
Have you recently been to Los Banos, Laguna ?
Seven years is a long time to be away from the place I love. And of course I expected change. But nothing prepared me for how nice that change was. Los Banos has now become a model place to live. Eveything is so clean and orderly. There are no litter on the streets anywhere. It’s unlawful to throw trash or smoke inside the jeepneys, and by law every public transport has to have a trashcan. They have a waste and recycling management that puts Baltimore to shame. Los Banos residents use their biodegradable trash so well that the plants around town have benefitted from the richer soil. The city is even now declared as a Science and Nature City, a testament to the marked improvement as a well as the abundant nature sites and scientific learning centers. There is even a neat children’s park beside the municipal hall.
The highway lanes are now marked with white and yellow strips and there are pedestrian lanes too, and surprise surprise (!) people actually use them. 
Traffic enforcers are serious about making people obey rules, so much so that a bullhorn will unbashedly describe you out if they see you disobeying, “Hey, you! the woman with the blue umbrella that’s crossing the street! Here in Los Banos, people obey traffic laws so how come you’ve the guts to jay-walk! Be ashamed of yourself!” (HOY! ikaw! Yang babaeng naka-blue na payong na tumatawid ng kalsada! Dito po sa Los Banos, sumusunod ng traffic laws ang tao, eh bakit ang lakas mong mag-jay walking! Mahiya ka naman!”) Double shame on you if the mayor himself catches you disobeying the law. And he does, this mayor Perez. Everyone told me that he’s a frequent site at the junction, directing traffic or using the bullhorn.
Everyone I talked to says it with pride, how Los Banos has improved with a better public servant in office and innovative ways of running the town. It is a good place to live.
(The photo above was taken at the gate of the UP Los Banos campus)
(Part of a mini-series, ”My Journey Home ” chronicles this balikbayan’s return after 7 long years.)
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POSTED IN: General: Philippine Culture, Places to Visit
1 opinion for Is this really Los Banos?
vsdepadua
Oct 23, 2007 at 11:56 pm
It took a great mayor to bring out the best in the people of Los Banos. This mayor of ours has once again proven himself. As Barangay Captain of Batong Malaki he did it, for several terms as mayor he has done it again. I worry for one day his term limits will come and a new mayor will step in.
Mayor Perez we salute you.
Although there still is room for improvement like enforcing of laws regarding alcohol serving establishments, better educated or more intelligent LBTMO traffic enforcers(in yellow). Get rid of the LTMO enforcers (in blue)for they are arrogant and over bearing and don’t have an ounce of respect for motorists. Reduction of the number of public use jeepneys. There are too many, many run about empty, clogging up the narrow streets, stopping anywhere, coaxing possible passengers even if they don’t need a ride causing terrible traffic jams.
Otherwise, everything seems a-ok.
Congrats Mayor Perez, congrats Los Banos!
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