The Big Cheese 【Angela講師のコラム】

今日はダバオから届いたAngela講師のコラムをご紹介します
さてさて、とっても嬉しそうなAngela講師の隣の男性は、いったい誰なのでしょう

タイトルのチーズは、ハイジの大好きなチーズではありませんが、何のことなのでしょう
Angela講師は大感激しているようですが・・・
それではAngela講師のコラムをどうぞ

A couple of years ago, I was invited to the party of a riders club in our city of Davao. The members of this club are owners and enthusiasts of big bikes. It so happened that several friends of mine belong to it. The party was truly entertaining and the food choices were more than what my tummy can accommodate. But what sets this gathering really memorable was the presence of the big cheese! Oh sorry to burst your bubble cheese lovers, I am not talking about the real cheese. I am actually talking about the important and very influential person in our city-the Mayor. Yes, he is the big cheese! 
Rodrigo Roa Duterte also known as Digong or Rody has been in the public service for the longest time and even until today. He particularly served the people of Davao City, the very reason why he is very much loved by everybody here. He is no ordinary public servant and has even captured the interest of the world. Proof to that is the article written about him by Time Magazine which nicknamed him "The Punisher". Davao City used to be called the murder capital of the Philippines but it was changed into the most peaceful city in Southeast Asia under his leadership. His methods in making this city peaceful again were lauded by the majority and criticized by human rights groups. The criticisms were due to the idea that he is involved in extrajudicial killings of alleged criminals. Nevertheless, he is still considered as a model crime fighter for most of his constituents, esteemed by his fellow politicians and feared by the lawless elements.
The city has also received awards and citations in the Philippines and abroad. Hall of Fame, Best Peace and Order Council in the Philippines, One of the 20 Most Livable Cities in Asia as identified by Asiaweek for four consecutive years (1996-1999), Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines and Most Competitive City To Do Business in the Philippines to name a few.  
The Integrated Emergency Response System 911, a fully computerized response system linking the people to the emergency resources of the government is the first and only in the Philippines and used by Davao City. The city is one of the only three areas in the world after United States of America and Canada.
He also instituted several city ordinances which were somehow impossible to implement for fear of being disliked. In the spirit of merry-making on occasions like Christmas and New Year, traditionally Filipinos love to use firecrackers. This kind of practice has caused several accidents like fire, blindness and amputation of affected body parts thus the creation of firecracker ban since 2002 in the city, again the first and only in the country. Another commendable ordinance he made is the anti-smoking ordinance which prohibits people from smoking cigarettes in public places. This has been implemented for more than a decade now and I am proud to note that he was able to accomplish the impossible. 
In total, he has served the people of Davao City for 3 years as a congressman, 6 years as a vice-mayor and 18 years as a mayor since. Just this year, he was again elected as a mayor for another three years and uncontested for most of the time. I am confident to say that with this kind of record he has led the city with an exemplary performance.
In person, he is very cordial to everyone and I am very much honored for the chance of having my picture taken with him which has been a long time dream. I consider him the most influential person in our community, the big cheese!