Ombion: Problem, symptom and solution

Ombion: Problem, symptom and solution

WHY is it that despite the billions and trillions of money the government poured into various "encompassing services," the nation we have 50 years past has not become more equitable and humane?

All economic variables are alarmingly worsening: sustained drop in industrial and agricultural production, more expensive public utilities especially water, power and public transportation, decline in quantity and quality of social services, rampant flexible labor arrangements and unemployment, runaway inflation, rise of taxes with no improvement in public services, alarmingly high rural-urban migration, urban implosion.

Natural growth drivers are knocking at our planet’s and society’s growth limits.

Climate change worsens. More destructive floods, landslides, fires and other natural disasters, earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes. Drinkable water sources drop quite alarmingly, while rising sea level, intruding into inlands and flooding some big urban centers is now a reality.

Other socio-political variables are not performing any better.

The state is getting weaker and being eaten up from within. Deepening bureaucratic corruptions and bad governance practices by sheer admission of State Audit authorities and House Blue Ribbon Committee. Ever-growing dominance of family and political dynasties. Marginalization of more civil society organizations.

More people are restive and defiant.

Red tagging, illegal searches and arrests, and extra-judicial killings especially against activist organizations and personalities continue unabated. Resistance, armed and non-armed, is growing and spreading rapidly on the grounds, highlands, and social media. There has been a steady rise in organized crimes and underworld groups. Not the least, human and civil rights saddle major setbacks.

Do all these have any connection?

Definitely yes because these are not just issues and problems, but symptoms of a more serious wrong with our system and those who govern it. The problems are just symptomatic of a serious disease.

Just as a persistent headache can sometimes be a symptom of cancer, giving an aspirin may make the patient feel better temporarily, but it does not solve the underlying problem. The roots of a cancer, the uncontrollable growth of deadly cells must be treated or removed.

The new ruling administration must face our country’s major symptoms and find comprehensive solutions to the enormous problems besetting our country. I know it is not easy. But it can start with these four moves:

a) Have political will, b) Draw a comprehensive plan, not piecemeal, and away from neoliberal economic policies inspired by US and other G7 countries, and simply be guided by the national and democratic interests of the Filipino people, c) Veto the ill proposed laws of dynasties and oligarchs in Congress, and push for Executive-Legislative Agenda that represents the will and interests of the people, and d) create a parallel people’s consultative council with representatives from civil society organizations and other interest groups and movements advocating nationalist economic and political reforms – to make state decisions and policies more participatory.

PBBM’s recent action against sugar importation, regardless of other motives that went with it, is highly laudable. There should be more of such in other important state concerns.

The same should be done by the local government units (LGUs). Do something really new, not recycled hogwash policies and programs, much less piecemeal and show-off measures. Move forward, not entangled in the records, psychics of the past administration.

Give visionaries and real planners -- not the exhibitionists, extortionists, pseudo leaders -- a chance to help set the LGU into the right motion to the right direction. Good governance is not for the “gifted elites” and private contractors. It is for visionaries and servant leaders.

If we start thinking this way, I am sure we are going to see more substantive changes, not spaghetti reforms, in the next three, six and 10 years.

If nobody heeds this, the likelihood of significant disasters will ensure.

Do I believe in benevolent elites and gifted leaders leading the way? Sounds like an Oxymoron to me.

I only believe in people with good and brave hearts.

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