For visiting this blogsite, supporting and promoting it, a big thank you! In just a few days, the number of unique visitors accessing this blogsite has increased. Some have made suggestions and sent encouraging messages. These are received as positive signs that we must continue with this advocacy of providing a different approach to the delivery of information to the public and through the internet. More often than not, we may be deemed to have been bombarded with too much opinions, too much views, and too much of something that could not be understood by laymen. In the end, the process leaves us wondering and thinking of what actually transpired and how it affects us.
This blogsite envisions a dynamic and proactive role in bringing about the needed change and reforms in our society. We are enraged by any news or incidents of graft and corruption. Whether it be in the streets where erring traffic officers would extort money from motorists, or in air-conditioned government offices where government officials or employees are engaged in such shameful act of demanding or accepting bribes.
The Philippines is aiming at transforming itself into progressive, debt-free and corruption-free economic tiger in the Asia-Pacific region, if not a global eagle which soars high as an economic power to be reckoned with.
In order to do this, we may need to establish for ourselves an environment conducive to such desired development and progress. We may talk of several components that make up such ideal environment, to wit:
1) A competent and re-engineered as well as honest bureaucracy without the dreaded and annoying red tapes;
2) An economy that is alive because everyone is doing something to earn a living, save for a rainy day, spend wisely and patronize the Philippine market;
3) A judiciary which is populated by what we may call as saints-in-robes who works not for money but because there is a noble and higher calling to make a difference in the dispensation of justice. Realistically, there cannot be a zero backlog particularly when the docket is terribly clogged by pending and continuous incoming cases. This could be resolved in many ways but it will require the cooperation of the both the bench and the bar.
4) A disciplined and industrious citizenry imbued with nationalism but responsive to the realities of globalization;
5) A legislative branch which is responsive to the changing times, and the need to change and simplify the laws of the Philippines. This will call for codification, revisions, amendments or repeal of laws. There will be a need to disclose how the pork barrels allocations are spent, where and when;
6) A gradual return to the two-party system or at least, if that is not feasible, a political party system which is stable and strong enough to withstand and address the concerns of volatile political situations.
7) A competent, strong, coordinated and well-equipped law enforcement and supported or relative agencies or instrumentalities with the end in view of achieving an ideal zero-crime rate;
8) A preventive health and wellness system for the people, and the prevention or eradication of diseases;
9) An integrated program on sustainable agriculture, environment protection, trade and industry. This means that the Philippines must give priority to agriculture and food production towards self-sufficiency and the ability to export quality products;
10) A good governance program that will empower local government units and transform their respective localities into income generating, self-reliant and self-sufficient communities;
11) An infrastructure system that keeps on progressing in partnership with the private sector particularly those pertaining to telecommunications, road network, water supply, irrigation, power generation and distribution, and similar services or facilities;
12) An intensive campaign to promote the alternative learning system as well as institutionalize the homeschooling system, thereby improving the literacy level of the Philippines. Education should be a priority, but there must be a review and reconsideration of the new elementary and high school curricula to be implemented starting next schoolyear 2012-13, and a serious study on the school calendar;
13) A strong social welfare and housing system that would, this time around, address the plight of informal settlers, streetchildren, among others;
14) A balanced and rationale labor justice system which would call for a review and revision of labor laws in the country;
There are other concerns, and the list is endless. But by any and all means, it is imperative to take action, at least for now, on those concerns listed at this time, and for us to do something about the foregoing concerns. In the days to come, this blogsite will conduct surveys, ask for volunteers, and pursue a movement of people who cares for this country and the future generation.
