I WENT to Manila last weekend and took the elevated highway from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) passing through the Caloocan City area and Tondo section of Manila. That's instead of accessing EDSA or the clogged A. Bonifacio which will lead me to Quiapo. The Waze directed go by way of North Bay boulevard. Got a little relief upon hitting North Bay despite those long lines of cargo trucks.
Mayor Isko Moreno's effort to clean the streets is still lacking because both sides of the roads up to Del Pan bridge it is still littered with garbage. Those shanties where Kois grew up are still there. It seems their numbers even increased. It can't be belied that undernourishment plague the residents. The area is still a shocking face of poverty Accept it or not, majority of those people residing near the pier are poor. I was trying to look for any Christmas lantern or any decor, I saw none. Mayor Kois should have decorated with blinking lights some sections of that marginalized area.
There are still many poor people in the cities and in many villages around the country, Mr. President. Sometime ago, Social Weather Station (SWS) came up with survey that 9.4 million households rated themselves poor. There are still families who can't afford three straight meals a day. Children who goes through the night without anything to digest by their colons.
The country is engrossed with the medals being garnered by our athletes and leading in the medal tally. Awed with that grand opening at the Philippine Sports Arena showcasing our culture, the country's capability to spend billions for a spectacle. World class facilities no doubt. Bases Conversion Development Authority President Vince deserves handshakes and applauses despite criticisms from the usual sector.
To assuage some feelings who maybe pitying the underprivileged, let's say those who were interviewed who said they are poor maybe many of them are not really that poor. The statistics are not always accurate. Many people really don't tell what we is real and true. I remember a story told many times by friends in the tennis club where we play cards on weekends. One friend of mine is "kristo" in a cockpit and he always remind us that only in a boxing match you will know who won, because the referee will raise the hand of the victor.
Try to ask anyone among the aficionados who who's racking up bets, and more than 80% will say they are losing. Those with big wins will tell you they are just but even. And those who are losing few pesos will claim they already parted with bundles. In short, nobody is really telling the truth. Sorry to say to the Philippine Statistics Authority people that they will never be close to accuracy.
Even the unemployment rate in the Philippines will be very difficult to determine. I don't have the number of cockpits in the country, but there are at least one in a town and two or three in big cities. The 'kristos' are never considered to be employed. And 'runners', gaffe men, cock trainers, vendors, referees and several other works are available during cock derbies.
Jueteng bet collectors cannot be considered poor. I know many of them personally and they were able to send their kids to college. They enjoy family outings on weekends at the malls and sometimes they throw lavish birthday parties.
Having said all of these, Mr. Duterte will have a little more than two years in office. Can somebody stand up and point to me which area the palace succeeded?