FEDERALISM enhances the competitive spirit in sports, region by region under the atmosphere of autonomy and free will.
Equal distribution of the country's wealth gives equal chances to federal states and regions for growth and development in all aspects of human life.
A federal form of government will level the playing field and correct Metro Manila's undue domination of the cities and provinces, notably sports management and economic development.
The voracious central government has only made Metro Manila the most highly congested place in the world where crimes and criminals are abound.
Domination in the sense that the absorption of talents from the cities by Manila universities is dislocating families and affects the competitive spirit of youngsters and dampens regional vigor.
It was natural for athletes specially those very talented ones to be attracted to the lure of Imperial Manila and its glamour which is detrimental to the growth of other cities and contributes more to the congestion of the already overpopulated metropolis.
In the present unitary set-up, the central government controls all our money and talents altogether leaving the rest of the areas outside Metro Manila highly dependent, some even impoverished and experiencing long years of stunted growth.
In relation to that and as a yearend feature, this column today yields some space to a portion of the Christmas Message by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte:
“The Lord God Almighty has always looked to our city with kindness. While we have our own share of problems, we have always overcome with His divine guidance. We have rules to follow and basic discipline as our guidepost which we as a people observe, live and abide by.”
“Our city, therefore, has sustained the distinction as the most peaceful place in the Philippines and fourth in the whole world. Not only has Davao City become the most livable place in the country, it also stands as among the top 20 livable cities in Asia.
“I personally believe that we can further develop our city and other growth centers in Mindanao. That is why I agreed to take the challenge of restoring the Federal Movement believing in the principles that given the authority and power to govern an autonomous state or region, we will be able to utilize its resources wisely according to its needs and priorities and not on the caprice of a centrist government.”