Fetalvero: What are we building on?

WHAT seems to be the cry of the poor? Congress is busy with its resolution involving the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. The Senate wants to suspend the implementation of the Train Law and the excise tax on petroleum products. However, Malacañang impresses upon us that President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program is its priority. Funds for the program will come from the taxes.

Continued price hike of fuel has propelled prices of basic commodities to soar. In fact, labor groups are now asking this administration through its Labor Department to increase the daily minimum wage to P750.

Our government should take cognizance of the fact that survival from daily existence takes precedence over infrastructure development. Making both ends meet is the primary concern among Filipinos living under the poverty line and that accounts for millions of our citizens. Mothers who are the managers of every household strive to make the balancing act as if walking on a tightrope.

“Taxed enough already” is an outcry that seems to fall on deaf ears. Unless government makes an urgent move to alleviate the domestic economic situation, Filipinos will continue to rely on doles. Three presidents implemented the Tawid Pangkabuhayan program and citizens are still wallowing in poverty. Our Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health should ensure that no child goes to school hungry. Our Department of Education must monitor closely that no child drops out of school.

Transport groups are asking for a P4 fare hike since prices of fuel are increasing on a weekly basis. We all know that once transportation cost goes up, a domino effect is inevitable.

Filipinos are not convinced that we have to sacrifice in favor of development. A father of five who could only afford to buy a kilo of rice that he must do away with viand will tell government: “Tama na ang pahirap sa tao.” How could a child even concentrate in school when her stomach is empty?

Have we not learned from our history? Former president Ferdinand Marcos did that massive infrastructure development. Yes, it changed the landscape but did it change the narratives of the hungry Filipinos? The rich became richer; the poor became poorer. Someone said: “Decisions can take you out of God’s will but never out of His reach.” Our policy makers can try reaching out.

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