Barrita: Poverty

THE rich got richer, but more Filipinos joined the ranks of the poor amid the economic growth since 2001, presidential economic adviser and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said.

From 25.47 million in 2001, he said the number of poor Filipinos increased to 27.60 million in 2006.

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I was told joining the ranks of the poor was purely voluntary.

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Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar said the problem of poverty and hunger could have been worse had the government not acted to cushion the global financial crisis last year.

This poverty and hunger issue should be addressed by the next president without resorting to drastic measures such as feeding the poor to the hungry.

Just look at Gov. Salceda’s projections-–it would take 37 years to wipe out poverty in this country.

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The poor were simply called poor then.

Just like that.

But bureaucrats changed the word from poor to needy, underprivileged, and finally, disadvantaged.

They still don’t have money but they got a rich vocabulary.

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With the number of poor Filipinos, there’s no wonder all those running for president are zeroing in on the poor with their campaign slogans.

So there’s Sen. Manny Villar’s “Tunay na Mahirap,” Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s “Kung Walang Kurap, Walang Mahirap,” and former president Joseph Estrada’s “Kung May
Erap, May Ginhawa.”

They simply want to endear themselves to the vote-rich poor.

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Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña said a former barangay captain of San Roque who died six years ago is still participating in barangay-sponsored activities.

“This should be included in the Guinness World Records,” he said.

There are ghost projects and ghost employees in government.

Here’s one ghost that will haunt San Roque barangay officials.

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On a quick visit to Toledo City Sunday, we returned via the Cebu Transcentral Highway which was freshly paved with asphalt on the city’s north side.

I noticed there were posters of Cutie del Mar and Atan Guardo along the highway.

I’m afraid those who won’t vote for Cutie del Mar will vote for Atan Guardo.