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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Speak out: War against corruption
By Liv unahija
Cebu City
We should learn from the Wowowee tragedy and change some of our traits, which helped trigger the stampede.
1. Learn the concept of risk. Nothing is risk-free but, judging from many scenarios involving crowds of people, many Filipinos do not realize or ignore danger signs. Consider this scenario: A sea vessel has reached its capacity of passengers. What do many Filipinos do? Negotiate with boat authorities while some resort to name-dropping or pulling strings just to get on the boat. Apart from the risk of not being able to find a seat or cot to sleep on, people who insist on boarding a boat, bus, habal-habal or whathaveyou, that is filled to capacity endanger the safety of everyone on board. And the boat crew, bus, jeepney or habal-habal driver who insist on filling up the vessel or vehicle beyond capacity is just as reckless.
2. Develop self-sufficiency and learn the value of work rather than hope for a chance to win the lotto, raffle draw or game shows.
3. For the government, improve quality of and provide free education, create more skills training opportunities for citizens and ensure favorable climate for investors. If these programs are realized, people no longer have a reason to be dependent on dole-outs. Those who do are plain lazy and do not deserve pity.
4. For TV and radio networks, not to exploit the people’s poverty. Entertainment, yes, but not programs that encourage dependency on dole-outs. If they want to help the poor, TV networks, and any company for that matter, should instead put money into improving and providing free education, and in creating livelihood opportunities.
Isn’t it true that when we teach a man to fish, he will be able to make use of that skill through his lifetime? But when we give man fish, he’ll be hungry again a few hours later.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 7, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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