The results of the survey conducted by the Holy Name University (HNU) Research Center indicating a 49% preference for the conversion of the moth-balled Agora building into a commercial center is a cause for celebration. This shows a growing maturity among residents in a city that is priming itself up for growth in the coming days. Maturity is a crucial factor in the process because this means that the residents are ready even for unconventional approaches.

Several years back, the first attempt to broach the idea of constructing a public market and integrated bus terminal in Dao was shot down resoundingly. The proponents were defeated in the elections. Of course, the opponents of the plan turned out to be closet supporters instead. They pursued the project even when they had all the opportunity to stop it. Call it belated conversion or what, but the fact is they did exactly what they opposed before the elections. At the time, most people particularly vendors who earned a living plying their trade at the old Agora insisted that the market be rebuilt in the old site, a site that was ideal for a market when Tagbilaran only had a population of 10,000.

Three elections later, the Dao market continued to operate albeit at a loss. In the meantime, a structure was built at the Agora square perhaps to continue foisting the mirage that the market will rise again like the proverbial phoenix. The survey results showed that city residents have finally seen the wisdom of the arguments made by Mayor Dan Lim that the old Agora is no longer suitable for a market place. It is simply like putting kid gloves on a man's fist. Not to mention of course that the stubborn insistence to start work on the Agora has resulted in a massive display of government waste. Today, the Agora is an embarrassing symbol of distorted priorities that is an eyesore at best. Of course, a business center in the Agora does not a city make. Progress will not automatically follow the completion of a business center in place of the eyesore.

The point however is that the city needs to bite the bullet once in a while if it intends to get out of the pit. The retarded growth and wasted opportunities have made convention a luxury. Perhaps, the people simply trust Lim enough to agree with his unconventional proposal in dealing with a problem that is not his own making. Perhaps it is simply an act of desperation over the Agora, to embrace anything just to be rid of it and put it to good use – finally. From where we sit however, we hope it looks like maturity. Lots of it.