Filipino- a bundle of many identities
Is there such a thing as a Filipino identity? I remember 18th century Scottish philosopher David Hume saying that there is no such thing as self but only a bundle of selves. Using Hume’s argument, there is no such thing as a Filipino identity- only a bundle of many Filipino identities.
By asserting that the Filipino is just a bundle of many identities it means that there is no sense of Filipinohood in us that should bind us as one people. The bundle theory of Hume sidesteps our sense of unity and interconnectedness within our country and in the larger sense among all Filipinos worldwide. There may be a point in arguing about the continuity of the physical attributes of Filipinos like having small flat nose, brown in complexion, and with small physical structure, and the like. There may be physical regeneration of our physical attributes like some of us today are mestizos and mestizas but they are not that substantial to miss our traditional looks and posturing. There may also be psychological continuity that we persist as Filipinos because we can remember our past. In other words, our Filipino psyche is long-term. However, if I were to put words into the mouth of Hume, these ongoing identities in terms of physical and psychological identities do not make up the Filipino identity. The continuity of physical and psychological identities is not a ground for making out a genuine Filipino identity.
In the world of Hume, we have many Filipino identities. These identities are our subjective experiences. We experience Filipinohood or simply a sense of being united as Filipinos when we are in a foreign land. For instance, we are proud as being Filipinos by speaking Filipino or eating our own food in a different country, meeting regularly with our kababayans, working long and hard because it is the mark of being a Filipino toiling abroad, etc. But there are also some of us who after staying for sometime in a foreign land would willfully forget our sense of Filipinohood – we talk the way foreigners do as if our native tongue is a social taboo, or we eat and live like our foreign counterparts. On a different vein, we likewise feel this closeness and solidarity as a nation within ourselves when we pool our resources to help victims of man-made and natural calamities. But we feel indifferent about the untold social calamities in our midst caused by power-hungry politicians. Simply put, the Filipino identity is erratic. We seem not to get the real picture of the Filipino identity. Hume explains that it is nonsensical to grasp the self because there is no such thing as self. Just like us Filipinos it is without any sense to talk about unity of the Filipino people when there is no clear cut and definitive Filipino identity.
This Filipino identity crisis undeniably has been a perennial problem. To date we are unable to comprehend what it takes to be a Filipino. From all indications, it appears that we are still grappling for our Filipino identity, a Filipino being whose self is unified. The Filipino today is no more than a collection of his many and varied subjective experiences. Hume’s bundle theory asserts that a unified self does not even own these experiences because the self has no peculiar identity among the many and confusing selves almost leading to a Shakespearean comedy of errors. Our physical continuity and remembered experiences as Filipinos do not guarantee our Filipino identity.
Thus in conclusion, we still have much to discern what is meant and what it is to be a Filipino. The bundle theory of Hume is compelling and very telling yet I am hopeful that the necessity to have a Filipino identity will dawn upon us soonest.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I care for this country. Do you?
I care for this country. Do you?
I am a Filipino and I am proud of it. And I love this country not only because it is where I live but it is where my roots are. It is the sanctuary of the Filipino values I cherish and it is where I find my home and where my heart is. It is here where I was born and it is here where my final resting place will be.
I show my love for myself as a Filipino and for this country by being a good citizen. I don’t sit on my arms and just watch what is happening in this country. I humbly participate in molding this nation to become a better place even when there are some of us who spit on her face. I show my concern for this country by expressing my dismay and displeasure if the state of the nation is bleak and the political leadership is weak. I show my care for this country by encouraging those who bother to look deeper into themselves and find out how to make this country more decent and more respectable. I wish I could say something riveting or moving to them. They have though my prayerful wishes and my assurance that they will not be forgotten.
I am a voice of change and I would like to add this voice to the band of voices who call for a genuine moral change in this country. I am aware that there are also voices that speak noise. There is much political noise being heard nowadays. These are from politicians who think they are the political messiahs of this country yet they are like the biblical Pharisees who prayed sincerely before the public yet inwardly they are evil vipers.
The reason why we are in a cycle of national crises is we don’t love much our country. It is not love but apathy when we watch helplessly our country being gang-raped by some political psychopaths. It is not also love but boredom when we passively allow social issues to persist like illegal numbers game of jueteng, graft and corruption, immorality, and other social evils. There seems to be no Filipino leader anymore who has a moral purpose to make a difference in the lives of the Filipinos. Instead, it appears that we are pleased to cuddle the present crop of our leaders who wantonly deplete the resources of our physical environment and who drain off our resources in the social and moral environment.
It is not love that we are showing to this country but sheer hatred to our motherland when we are submissive, aloof, and detached to these nasty, revolting social realities we are in and worse ultimately foster them because we easily volunteer our silence due to our spinelessness.
I wish our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal or Ninoy had been born during these trying times to inspire us, to create meaning into our lives as a Filipino people, and lead us into a culture of genuine change. It is so sad that we don’t have the likes of them in our midst. Regretfully the leadership torch they passed to us had been extinguished by this present generation. This is a lifetime shame for this country.
Be that as it may, I am in love with this country. I wish I could be another Rizal or another Ninoy just to prove that I really love this country.
I am a Filipino and I am proud of it. And I love this country not only because it is where I live but it is where my roots are. It is the sanctuary of the Filipino values I cherish and it is where I find my home and where my heart is. It is here where I was born and it is here where my final resting place will be.
I show my love for myself as a Filipino and for this country by being a good citizen. I don’t sit on my arms and just watch what is happening in this country. I humbly participate in molding this nation to become a better place even when there are some of us who spit on her face. I show my concern for this country by expressing my dismay and displeasure if the state of the nation is bleak and the political leadership is weak. I show my care for this country by encouraging those who bother to look deeper into themselves and find out how to make this country more decent and more respectable. I wish I could say something riveting or moving to them. They have though my prayerful wishes and my assurance that they will not be forgotten.
I am a voice of change and I would like to add this voice to the band of voices who call for a genuine moral change in this country. I am aware that there are also voices that speak noise. There is much political noise being heard nowadays. These are from politicians who think they are the political messiahs of this country yet they are like the biblical Pharisees who prayed sincerely before the public yet inwardly they are evil vipers.
The reason why we are in a cycle of national crises is we don’t love much our country. It is not love but apathy when we watch helplessly our country being gang-raped by some political psychopaths. It is not also love but boredom when we passively allow social issues to persist like illegal numbers game of jueteng, graft and corruption, immorality, and other social evils. There seems to be no Filipino leader anymore who has a moral purpose to make a difference in the lives of the Filipinos. Instead, it appears that we are pleased to cuddle the present crop of our leaders who wantonly deplete the resources of our physical environment and who drain off our resources in the social and moral environment.
It is not love that we are showing to this country but sheer hatred to our motherland when we are submissive, aloof, and detached to these nasty, revolting social realities we are in and worse ultimately foster them because we easily volunteer our silence due to our spinelessness.
I wish our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal or Ninoy had been born during these trying times to inspire us, to create meaning into our lives as a Filipino people, and lead us into a culture of genuine change. It is so sad that we don’t have the likes of them in our midst. Regretfully the leadership torch they passed to us had been extinguished by this present generation. This is a lifetime shame for this country.
Be that as it may, I am in love with this country. I wish I could be another Rizal or another Ninoy just to prove that I really love this country.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The use of the environment and development
The use of the environment and development
Many blame environmental destruction brought by logging and mining for the recent flash floods in the country. The accusing finger is pointed at the rampant logging and mining operations as culprits. These tragedies and incidents belie all assurances of responsible and sustainable use of the environment that the government is telling us.
Let me present my thoughts in relation to the use of our environment:
1. Our government, just like any other government, desires development for the country. And there is always a trade-off between development and the use of the environment. Development is impossibility without the use of the environment. Hence the use of the environment for development is inevitable. However, when wanton use and greed are involved, the environment may be abused to the hilt. Personally, I do not espouse a zero-use of the environment. Conversely, I am for the intelligent and efficient use of it;
2. Income growth is different from development. If the use of the environment is purely for income growth then it should be discouraged because it is a short-term economic program. It should focus on development- a sustained economic growth coupled with the empowerment and improvement of the lives of our people, plus their health is robust, and their immediate environment is clean. If the environment is abused then development is also impaired;
3. Environment should be harnessed and not harvested. This means that we can use the environment but it should be within the bounds of reason and morality and withn the context of simple, not excessive, lifestyle;
4. Our environment should remain healthy which means that we should allow the environment to heal itself and not to harm it just to satisfy our overwhelming needs. In other words, we should integrate sustainability in our environment which is equivalent to environmental protection;
5. I do not like to pontificate but we are considered stewards of the environment. As stewards, we should find out if the environment can sustain us and the next generation without harming itself. Otherwise, we should not disturb the environment and insist that it should put up with our insatiable human greed;
6. We are beset by global concerns like hunger, poverty, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. If the use of the environment aggravates these global threats then we should leave the environment in peace. It is highly imprudent and immoral to pursue the exploitation of the environment in the wake of these global threats;
7. If the use of the environment is to provide wood materials and metallic needs of other countries other that ours, I oppose it. There are unscrupulous people who are unconcerned and would allow the infliction of injurious damage to our environment because of greed and that is grievously immoral;
8. I am not convinced that logging, especially mining, is the only option open to the government for the country’s economic recovery. We can have sustainable economic benefits in other areas like tourism, agriculture, rich marine resources, cultural heritage, and natural landscapes;
9. There should be a science-based extensive study on the use of the environment for development purposes. It should be impartial and objective though. The result of the study should be politics-free, not fabricated or distorted, not biased, not interest-driven, and not pre-determined and market-oriented findings;
10. Principles of community-orientation and social acceptability should be the regulative guides in the use of the environment. If the people do not like logging or mining after informing them with detailed information about the use of the environment then at all cost we should respect the will of the people. Our people are our strongest assets and not the short-term economic gains we benefit from logging and mining.
Logging and mining would not have been hard pills to swallow for our people if their communities and their lives would have attained real development and that their health and well-being are robust and their environment is protected from abused. It is also disheartening that there are some of our leaders who push with brute force and chauvinism for the revitalization of mining. I just wish that that they would have more compassion, respect, and understanding of our poor people who have less in life.
Many blame environmental destruction brought by logging and mining for the recent flash floods in the country. The accusing finger is pointed at the rampant logging and mining operations as culprits. These tragedies and incidents belie all assurances of responsible and sustainable use of the environment that the government is telling us.
Let me present my thoughts in relation to the use of our environment:
1. Our government, just like any other government, desires development for the country. And there is always a trade-off between development and the use of the environment. Development is impossibility without the use of the environment. Hence the use of the environment for development is inevitable. However, when wanton use and greed are involved, the environment may be abused to the hilt. Personally, I do not espouse a zero-use of the environment. Conversely, I am for the intelligent and efficient use of it;
2. Income growth is different from development. If the use of the environment is purely for income growth then it should be discouraged because it is a short-term economic program. It should focus on development- a sustained economic growth coupled with the empowerment and improvement of the lives of our people, plus their health is robust, and their immediate environment is clean. If the environment is abused then development is also impaired;
3. Environment should be harnessed and not harvested. This means that we can use the environment but it should be within the bounds of reason and morality and withn the context of simple, not excessive, lifestyle;
4. Our environment should remain healthy which means that we should allow the environment to heal itself and not to harm it just to satisfy our overwhelming needs. In other words, we should integrate sustainability in our environment which is equivalent to environmental protection;
5. I do not like to pontificate but we are considered stewards of the environment. As stewards, we should find out if the environment can sustain us and the next generation without harming itself. Otherwise, we should not disturb the environment and insist that it should put up with our insatiable human greed;
6. We are beset by global concerns like hunger, poverty, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. If the use of the environment aggravates these global threats then we should leave the environment in peace. It is highly imprudent and immoral to pursue the exploitation of the environment in the wake of these global threats;
7. If the use of the environment is to provide wood materials and metallic needs of other countries other that ours, I oppose it. There are unscrupulous people who are unconcerned and would allow the infliction of injurious damage to our environment because of greed and that is grievously immoral;
8. I am not convinced that logging, especially mining, is the only option open to the government for the country’s economic recovery. We can have sustainable economic benefits in other areas like tourism, agriculture, rich marine resources, cultural heritage, and natural landscapes;
9. There should be a science-based extensive study on the use of the environment for development purposes. It should be impartial and objective though. The result of the study should be politics-free, not fabricated or distorted, not biased, not interest-driven, and not pre-determined and market-oriented findings;
10. Principles of community-orientation and social acceptability should be the regulative guides in the use of the environment. If the people do not like logging or mining after informing them with detailed information about the use of the environment then at all cost we should respect the will of the people. Our people are our strongest assets and not the short-term economic gains we benefit from logging and mining.
Logging and mining would not have been hard pills to swallow for our people if their communities and their lives would have attained real development and that their health and well-being are robust and their environment is protected from abused. It is also disheartening that there are some of our leaders who push with brute force and chauvinism for the revitalization of mining. I just wish that that they would have more compassion, respect, and understanding of our poor people who have less in life.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ethical and moral leaderships- do they really matter?
Ethical and moral leaderships- do they really matter?
Many sectors are calling for ethical leadership to initiate change in our society. But what makes leadership ethical? Will ethical leadership solve the ills of our society? And who are qualified to become ethical leaders? And do our people know what ethical leadership is and will they accept it as a catalyst for change?
Other sectors are calling for moral leaders to come out from their shells. Is this a different variety of leadership? Are moral leaders different from ethical leaders? Is moral leadership the answer to the problems besetting our country? Is ethics after all similar to morality?
My daughter Regine, a 3rd year philosophy student of UST and a dean’s lister, supplied me the answer. She said “personally I venture to say that such definitions of morality and ethics mentioned are high-flown and theoretical. I propose a simpler way of defining them and an easier way of differentiating them without deviating from their core ambits of the concepts of good and bad. In fact, if there is a common ground between morality and ethics it is that both are always anchored on the concepts of good and bad. Let us say what is considered good or bad in morality mirrors good and bad also in ethics.
“God’s commandments either from the Old or New Testaments are generalized rules of conduct. Obeying them renders our deeds good; otherwise, bad. Hence, they as generalized rules are used as standards of human acts. This is the realm of morality. Any generalized rule of conduct which man passively accepts as gauge or measurement of human acts is morality. Man, in other words, looks up to these generalized rules as absolute and static. Man cannot motu propio modify them to suit his moral interests. These rules of conduct were handed over to man, like the Ten Commandments, without man’s hint of turning them down. Man, in this case, is pictured to be at the receiving end, unmoving, and unquestioning.
"When man is faced with a moral dilemma of either following these generalized rules or not, then it is the realm of ethics that is involved here. In other words, man operates on a moral choice, makes a reflective decision, weighs his options, and cautiously moves towards a moral decision. In fine, ethics, unlike morality is process-centered and oriented. For instance, a father is considering theft as a means to enrich himself and his family and is yet unresolved whether or not he would pursue it because of a regulative principle like the 7th Commandment that says “Thou shall not steal.” It is clear here that the father, aware of the said commandment, is not impulsive or hasty in his decision but is careful to make a thoughtful moral decision before plunging into any display of a corresponding human act. This is ethics in its essence- there is deliberation and caution.”
The distinction is quite clear. Basing from that clear-cut division, ethical leaders are action-driven and purpose-oriented. In their policy-formulation or decision-making process, they take into consideration what is good for the welfare of the community. However, there should be a modicum of mutuality between the ethical leaders and the people being led. The people should freely agree and accept the purposes of the ethical leaders knowing that they are for their own good. The acceptance by the people of ethical leadership and its purposes must be, to be repetitious, free and they should not just acquiesce out of fear and autocratic control. It would be useless to have ethical leaders if the people do not know and freely consent to the purposes of the ethical leaders. The influence relationship between the ethical leaders and the people would be assured if they have common or shared values, purposes, and goals. Short of saying, we need ethical followers as much as we need ethical leaders. There is no sense of calling for ethical leadership if the people themselves are not ethical.
Moral leadership is likened to shutting up oneself in an ivory tower, undisturbed and without regard to the welfare of the people. These leaders are stuffed with moral truths but they have to be induced to actions so that they become ethical leaders. It is tantamount to ethical hazards if moral leaders are paralyzed by their inability to influence the people with the values, goals and purposes that they have to share. They are just there as models of moral leadership, inauthentic and phony leaders because they miserably fail to influence the lives of the people with the moral truths they know or the gospel values they hold. Moral leaders are imposters if they are not ethical leaders. Conversely ethical leaders are also great pretenders if they govern with no moral truths to proclaim and if their interests take precedence over the interests of the people.
The whole point is simply this: ethical leaders should internalize moral truths known to moral leaders and moral leaders should openly incarnate and put them into practice like what the ethical leaders do. What kind of leadership do we need then? We need a combination between ethical and moral leadership. We need moral and ethical leaders who know the moral truths, and without pretense, promote and share them to the people in a free and non-coercive environment.
Many sectors are calling for ethical leadership to initiate change in our society. But what makes leadership ethical? Will ethical leadership solve the ills of our society? And who are qualified to become ethical leaders? And do our people know what ethical leadership is and will they accept it as a catalyst for change?
Other sectors are calling for moral leaders to come out from their shells. Is this a different variety of leadership? Are moral leaders different from ethical leaders? Is moral leadership the answer to the problems besetting our country? Is ethics after all similar to morality?
My daughter Regine, a 3rd year philosophy student of UST and a dean’s lister, supplied me the answer. She said “personally I venture to say that such definitions of morality and ethics mentioned are high-flown and theoretical. I propose a simpler way of defining them and an easier way of differentiating them without deviating from their core ambits of the concepts of good and bad. In fact, if there is a common ground between morality and ethics it is that both are always anchored on the concepts of good and bad. Let us say what is considered good or bad in morality mirrors good and bad also in ethics.
“God’s commandments either from the Old or New Testaments are generalized rules of conduct. Obeying them renders our deeds good; otherwise, bad. Hence, they as generalized rules are used as standards of human acts. This is the realm of morality. Any generalized rule of conduct which man passively accepts as gauge or measurement of human acts is morality. Man, in other words, looks up to these generalized rules as absolute and static. Man cannot motu propio modify them to suit his moral interests. These rules of conduct were handed over to man, like the Ten Commandments, without man’s hint of turning them down. Man, in this case, is pictured to be at the receiving end, unmoving, and unquestioning.
"When man is faced with a moral dilemma of either following these generalized rules or not, then it is the realm of ethics that is involved here. In other words, man operates on a moral choice, makes a reflective decision, weighs his options, and cautiously moves towards a moral decision. In fine, ethics, unlike morality is process-centered and oriented. For instance, a father is considering theft as a means to enrich himself and his family and is yet unresolved whether or not he would pursue it because of a regulative principle like the 7th Commandment that says “Thou shall not steal.” It is clear here that the father, aware of the said commandment, is not impulsive or hasty in his decision but is careful to make a thoughtful moral decision before plunging into any display of a corresponding human act. This is ethics in its essence- there is deliberation and caution.”
The distinction is quite clear. Basing from that clear-cut division, ethical leaders are action-driven and purpose-oriented. In their policy-formulation or decision-making process, they take into consideration what is good for the welfare of the community. However, there should be a modicum of mutuality between the ethical leaders and the people being led. The people should freely agree and accept the purposes of the ethical leaders knowing that they are for their own good. The acceptance by the people of ethical leadership and its purposes must be, to be repetitious, free and they should not just acquiesce out of fear and autocratic control. It would be useless to have ethical leaders if the people do not know and freely consent to the purposes of the ethical leaders. The influence relationship between the ethical leaders and the people would be assured if they have common or shared values, purposes, and goals. Short of saying, we need ethical followers as much as we need ethical leaders. There is no sense of calling for ethical leadership if the people themselves are not ethical.
Moral leadership is likened to shutting up oneself in an ivory tower, undisturbed and without regard to the welfare of the people. These leaders are stuffed with moral truths but they have to be induced to actions so that they become ethical leaders. It is tantamount to ethical hazards if moral leaders are paralyzed by their inability to influence the people with the values, goals and purposes that they have to share. They are just there as models of moral leadership, inauthentic and phony leaders because they miserably fail to influence the lives of the people with the moral truths they know or the gospel values they hold. Moral leaders are imposters if they are not ethical leaders. Conversely ethical leaders are also great pretenders if they govern with no moral truths to proclaim and if their interests take precedence over the interests of the people.
The whole point is simply this: ethical leaders should internalize moral truths known to moral leaders and moral leaders should openly incarnate and put them into practice like what the ethical leaders do. What kind of leadership do we need then? We need a combination between ethical and moral leadership. We need moral and ethical leaders who know the moral truths, and without pretense, promote and share them to the people in a free and non-coercive environment.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Asch Effect in our society
The Asch Effect in our society
If you haven’t had the chance to read Solomon Asch’s theory of conformity, I suggest that you read it. It was part of my lesson when I was in college. I still remember how my professor applied it in our experience as a people. I want to highlight some of the lessons I learned which I am sure would be an eye-opener especially to those who push for a change in our society.
Imagine yourself in the following situation: you were asked to take part in a psychology experiment together with five other subjects who, not known to you, are confederates of the experimenter. The experimenter shows two cards- one card contains one vertical line and the other card contains three vertical lines of varying length. The experimenter would ask which of the three lines on the card matches the sample line on the other card. The five confederates, as per arrangement, unanimously make incorrect responses by choosing the wrong line. You, the subject know that they are wrong in their responses but you are also aware that they have given the same answer. What would you do when you are asked by the experimenter? Would you say that they are wrong? Would you give the same incorrect answer? Would you go along with them? Or would you trust your perception and stick to your guns?
Asch said that more often than not, group pressure does not affect our perceptions but it affects our behavior. This means that you as a subject, without any hint of disapproval, go along with the group even when you know that their choice was erroneous. You don’t want to be different from the group. The reason is simple: you want to be “in” with the group, you don’t wish to be desolated from the group even when they make the mistaken choice. This goes to show how strong group pressure can be that sometimes we don’t trust ourselves, our judgment and allow others to make faulty judgment for us.
There is some evidence in our society that supports this view of Asch. Because it is unlikely that our leaders can make a difference in our societal life, it is likely that we go along with the crowd in electing our leaders even when we know that they are not morally upright. The impact of people who accept our fate as a hopeless society influence our thinking that our society is indeed a desperate society.
What we can do at most is to educate our people to form their own judgments. We will probably see a better Philippines when our people tend to be more autonomous and responsible in their choices of leaders rather than be easily swayed by the uninformed and careless many.
If you haven’t had the chance to read Solomon Asch’s theory of conformity, I suggest that you read it. It was part of my lesson when I was in college. I still remember how my professor applied it in our experience as a people. I want to highlight some of the lessons I learned which I am sure would be an eye-opener especially to those who push for a change in our society.
Imagine yourself in the following situation: you were asked to take part in a psychology experiment together with five other subjects who, not known to you, are confederates of the experimenter. The experimenter shows two cards- one card contains one vertical line and the other card contains three vertical lines of varying length. The experimenter would ask which of the three lines on the card matches the sample line on the other card. The five confederates, as per arrangement, unanimously make incorrect responses by choosing the wrong line. You, the subject know that they are wrong in their responses but you are also aware that they have given the same answer. What would you do when you are asked by the experimenter? Would you say that they are wrong? Would you give the same incorrect answer? Would you go along with them? Or would you trust your perception and stick to your guns?
Asch said that more often than not, group pressure does not affect our perceptions but it affects our behavior. This means that you as a subject, without any hint of disapproval, go along with the group even when you know that their choice was erroneous. You don’t want to be different from the group. The reason is simple: you want to be “in” with the group, you don’t wish to be desolated from the group even when they make the mistaken choice. This goes to show how strong group pressure can be that sometimes we don’t trust ourselves, our judgment and allow others to make faulty judgment for us.
There is some evidence in our society that supports this view of Asch. Because it is unlikely that our leaders can make a difference in our societal life, it is likely that we go along with the crowd in electing our leaders even when we know that they are not morally upright. The impact of people who accept our fate as a hopeless society influence our thinking that our society is indeed a desperate society.
What we can do at most is to educate our people to form their own judgments. We will probably see a better Philippines when our people tend to be more autonomous and responsible in their choices of leaders rather than be easily swayed by the uninformed and careless many.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
If I were the President
If I were the President
The late US President John F. Kennedy once said “We need men who can dream of things that never were.” I wonder if I am one of those men mentioned by President Kennedy since when I was younger I had been a dreamer of grand things likes becoming the president of this country. I was one of those who obsessed about this grand hope and impossible dream. However, as I wrote in my article “To stop monsters, RP needs good citizens” (PDI 1/7/2009), I no longer have that dream.
Truth to tell, when I was elected as municipal councilor of Aparri, I told myself that that could be the start of my journey to realize my dream. But I grew increasingly frustrated with our political system that only the elite politicians seem to have the privilege to be elected into the high echelons of the government including the presidency and the poor and marginalized are sidelined to bit players only.
From the time I was municipal councilor of Aparri, for almost 18 years now, to date I keep in my wallet together with a pocket prayer book given by a priest-friend, my programs of government if I were the president of this country. I would do these dozen things:
1. Stop jueteng and other illegal gambling;
2. Put a blanket ban on small and large scale mining;
3. Fight the drug menace;
4. Restore ethics and morality in the government;
5. No relative would be hired in the government service;
6. My wife would be my personal chef and would spend full-time as a mother to our kid(now we have four);
7. I would not extend my term of office and abide by the constitutional term-limits;
8. Make government officials and employees accountable and responsible for their actions;
9. I would make national government plans and projects locally relevant;
10. Education, health care, technology, agriculture, business, and tourism would be my core programs;
11. I would not encroach the powers of congress and judiciary; and, finally,
12. I would listen to the people, act as their public servant in order to serve and not as a King to be served.
Grand programs of government, aren’t they? Ironically, their seeming impossibility is a refection of the sad social reality we are in. I am reminded that Plato wrote the Republic because of the irremediably corrupted Athenian politics during his time.
The late US President John F. Kennedy once said “We need men who can dream of things that never were.” I wonder if I am one of those men mentioned by President Kennedy since when I was younger I had been a dreamer of grand things likes becoming the president of this country. I was one of those who obsessed about this grand hope and impossible dream. However, as I wrote in my article “To stop monsters, RP needs good citizens” (PDI 1/7/2009), I no longer have that dream.
Truth to tell, when I was elected as municipal councilor of Aparri, I told myself that that could be the start of my journey to realize my dream. But I grew increasingly frustrated with our political system that only the elite politicians seem to have the privilege to be elected into the high echelons of the government including the presidency and the poor and marginalized are sidelined to bit players only.
From the time I was municipal councilor of Aparri, for almost 18 years now, to date I keep in my wallet together with a pocket prayer book given by a priest-friend, my programs of government if I were the president of this country. I would do these dozen things:
1. Stop jueteng and other illegal gambling;
2. Put a blanket ban on small and large scale mining;
3. Fight the drug menace;
4. Restore ethics and morality in the government;
5. No relative would be hired in the government service;
6. My wife would be my personal chef and would spend full-time as a mother to our kid(now we have four);
7. I would not extend my term of office and abide by the constitutional term-limits;
8. Make government officials and employees accountable and responsible for their actions;
9. I would make national government plans and projects locally relevant;
10. Education, health care, technology, agriculture, business, and tourism would be my core programs;
11. I would not encroach the powers of congress and judiciary; and, finally,
12. I would listen to the people, act as their public servant in order to serve and not as a King to be served.
Grand programs of government, aren’t they? Ironically, their seeming impossibility is a refection of the sad social reality we are in. I am reminded that Plato wrote the Republic because of the irremediably corrupted Athenian politics during his time.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Meet my parents instead
Meet my parents instead
For the past few days I received many email messages congratulating me for putting up a personal blog (visit http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com). My blog followers are mixed ranging from former classmates, friends, relatives, regional directors, national journalists, priests, a former beauty queen to unknown but well-meaning blog site readers. Of late, most of them especially those who revealed themselves only online asked me to introduce myself too. In fact my online readers keep on expanding everyday and the pressure to open my self to them is overwhelming. As is true elsewhere in the world of blogs, bloggers are fixated with anonymity, locked their profiles and used pseudo-names. However, I lay down my arms and opt to introduce myself but in a different manner- by introducing my parents to you. Shakespeare said “The tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree” (Henry IV, Part 1," Act 4, Scene 2). This echoes the biblical words “For each tree is known by its own fruit…” (St. Luke 6:44). I will exactly do the opposite- I will introduce myself by letting you know the “tree” for you to know the “fruit.”
I am one of the two sons of poor but pious parents- the late Rogelio Espiritu Tamayo, Sr. and Teresita Cuntapay Balisi. My father did not finish college because of poverty. My mother only finished a vocational course again because of poverty. I say ours is a generational poverty because my grandparents were poor too. However, to be in a poor home with pious parents was a blessing.
My father worked as a typist. He accepted typing jobs from a logging company. He was out of work when logging was banned. My mother was a gasoline girl. On one occasion, when I was in 2nd year high school my mother asked me to teach her how to write numbers from 1 to 10,000, how to use a calculator, how to fill up an official receipt, and how to add numbers with decimal points. I told my father about it. My father and I painstakingly taught her these things for many nights. I saw joy in the eyes of my mother when she learned them well.
I vividly recall when my parents and I have to watch over the house of the boss of my mother. There were times when mother’s boss and his family have to leave for Manila. My mother always admonished me not to touch anything inside the mansion while she and my father have to mop the floor, clean the window panes, change curtains, and the like. I usually helped them clean the mansion while giving an envious look at the expensive and dazzling toys of the sons of my mother’s boss.
I remember my parents to have pawned their wedding rings because of our needs. Our unmet needs were blessings too. These needs motivate us to pray. We were Sunday mass-goers. Papa visited the church on weekdays to pray while mama attends mass daily. Nowadays, if mama is not at home, she would be with her prayer group to lead a pawalu (prayer for the dead) at any wake, she would be in the church arranging flowers before religious relics or dusting them off.
I also reminisce when one day my father took me to Tuguegarao to visit his parents. I was comfortably seated beside him inside the bus. Unceremoniously, he asked me to vacate our seats for new passengers on board. From Lallo to Tuguegarao my father and I remained standing. When we got off the bus I heard the conductor saying “Pasensya pare ha. Marami kasing pasahero.” Hearing such, I understood that my father did not have much money for our fare and had asked for a free ride for both of us.
When I was in college at UP Diliman, my parents usually send my monthly P600 allowance thru a bus from the province. I have to go to the bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila every last Saturday of the month to get it. At times, when my parents were unable to send my monthly stipend, I received a glass coffee-container with dried fish or adobo. I have to consume this for a week until I get back to the bus terminal to push my luck. It was good I have my late uncle UP History Professor Wilfredo E. Tamayo to lean on during those trying times when I was completing my AB Philosophy.
When I was asked to prove my teaching skills in a teaching demonstration at the Lyceum of Aparri, I did not have a short polo-barong and a leather shoes. My mother borrowed a loose barong tagalog from a neighbor and I was forced to use the shoes of my father. I looked like a clown when I gave lecture before the Academic Deans and priest-administrators. When I got the teaching job, as a gesture of patting on my back, my father gave me a belt as a gift. I still used this dull and old belt whenever I miss my father.
When DILG requested me to lecture about legislation and parliamentary procedures, my father, who was then a barangay captain, was one of the audience. I asked him to come forward and I introduced him to the provincial director and other dignitaries. He was beaming with pride that he asked the photographer to take picture of us before my lecture.
When I was appointed Dean of Liberal Arts and Dean of Student Afairs, I toured my parents once in our school, the Lyceum of Aparri, and in our office at the municipal hall and introduced them to people from both the school and government but personally that is nothing compared to their manner of touring me into the ways of humility and the love for lady poverty and the way they introduced me to God. From them, I learned how to pray the rosary and novena everyday. From them, I learned the value hard work and honesty. From them, I learned to bend my knees in prayer.
My parents may not have the aristocracy of the schooled and the learned but they were my first teachers who taught me valuable lessons in life. They will forever be etched in my heart.
Now, you know me.
For the past few days I received many email messages congratulating me for putting up a personal blog (visit http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com). My blog followers are mixed ranging from former classmates, friends, relatives, regional directors, national journalists, priests, a former beauty queen to unknown but well-meaning blog site readers. Of late, most of them especially those who revealed themselves only online asked me to introduce myself too. In fact my online readers keep on expanding everyday and the pressure to open my self to them is overwhelming. As is true elsewhere in the world of blogs, bloggers are fixated with anonymity, locked their profiles and used pseudo-names. However, I lay down my arms and opt to introduce myself but in a different manner- by introducing my parents to you. Shakespeare said “The tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree” (Henry IV, Part 1," Act 4, Scene 2). This echoes the biblical words “For each tree is known by its own fruit…” (St. Luke 6:44). I will exactly do the opposite- I will introduce myself by letting you know the “tree” for you to know the “fruit.”
I am one of the two sons of poor but pious parents- the late Rogelio Espiritu Tamayo, Sr. and Teresita Cuntapay Balisi. My father did not finish college because of poverty. My mother only finished a vocational course again because of poverty. I say ours is a generational poverty because my grandparents were poor too. However, to be in a poor home with pious parents was a blessing.
My father worked as a typist. He accepted typing jobs from a logging company. He was out of work when logging was banned. My mother was a gasoline girl. On one occasion, when I was in 2nd year high school my mother asked me to teach her how to write numbers from 1 to 10,000, how to use a calculator, how to fill up an official receipt, and how to add numbers with decimal points. I told my father about it. My father and I painstakingly taught her these things for many nights. I saw joy in the eyes of my mother when she learned them well.
I vividly recall when my parents and I have to watch over the house of the boss of my mother. There were times when mother’s boss and his family have to leave for Manila. My mother always admonished me not to touch anything inside the mansion while she and my father have to mop the floor, clean the window panes, change curtains, and the like. I usually helped them clean the mansion while giving an envious look at the expensive and dazzling toys of the sons of my mother’s boss.
I remember my parents to have pawned their wedding rings because of our needs. Our unmet needs were blessings too. These needs motivate us to pray. We were Sunday mass-goers. Papa visited the church on weekdays to pray while mama attends mass daily. Nowadays, if mama is not at home, she would be with her prayer group to lead a pawalu (prayer for the dead) at any wake, she would be in the church arranging flowers before religious relics or dusting them off.
I also reminisce when one day my father took me to Tuguegarao to visit his parents. I was comfortably seated beside him inside the bus. Unceremoniously, he asked me to vacate our seats for new passengers on board. From Lallo to Tuguegarao my father and I remained standing. When we got off the bus I heard the conductor saying “Pasensya pare ha. Marami kasing pasahero.” Hearing such, I understood that my father did not have much money for our fare and had asked for a free ride for both of us.
When I was in college at UP Diliman, my parents usually send my monthly P600 allowance thru a bus from the province. I have to go to the bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila every last Saturday of the month to get it. At times, when my parents were unable to send my monthly stipend, I received a glass coffee-container with dried fish or adobo. I have to consume this for a week until I get back to the bus terminal to push my luck. It was good I have my late uncle UP History Professor Wilfredo E. Tamayo to lean on during those trying times when I was completing my AB Philosophy.
When I was asked to prove my teaching skills in a teaching demonstration at the Lyceum of Aparri, I did not have a short polo-barong and a leather shoes. My mother borrowed a loose barong tagalog from a neighbor and I was forced to use the shoes of my father. I looked like a clown when I gave lecture before the Academic Deans and priest-administrators. When I got the teaching job, as a gesture of patting on my back, my father gave me a belt as a gift. I still used this dull and old belt whenever I miss my father.
When DILG requested me to lecture about legislation and parliamentary procedures, my father, who was then a barangay captain, was one of the audience. I asked him to come forward and I introduced him to the provincial director and other dignitaries. He was beaming with pride that he asked the photographer to take picture of us before my lecture.
When I was appointed Dean of Liberal Arts and Dean of Student Afairs, I toured my parents once in our school, the Lyceum of Aparri, and in our office at the municipal hall and introduced them to people from both the school and government but personally that is nothing compared to their manner of touring me into the ways of humility and the love for lady poverty and the way they introduced me to God. From them, I learned how to pray the rosary and novena everyday. From them, I learned the value hard work and honesty. From them, I learned to bend my knees in prayer.
My parents may not have the aristocracy of the schooled and the learned but they were my first teachers who taught me valuable lessons in life. They will forever be etched in my heart.
Now, you know me.
Moral choice
Moral choice
In the fairytale story of Snow White, her step mother asked “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” We ask about some of our politicians (private citizens included!): “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greediest of them all?”
It is so discouraging to watch our country run by some politicians who are greedy and dishonest. Those politicians who are greedy and dishonest are also those who we described as “haves and have mores.” Indeed greed and dishonesty are sometimes rarely seen by those politicians who benefit from them. Nowadays, it is rare breed specie of a politician to run this country who is disinterested, unselfish, and honest. One writer says, “Looking for an honest politician is like looking for an ethical burglar.”
Examples of graft and corruption in the government abound and the latest of which is the alleged participation of politicians, private citizens, and construction firms in collusive practices for a major road construction. I am sure other scandalous and immoral graft and corrupt practices will unfurl in due time if these are left unchecked. It seems that the country is no longer ruled by decent and respectable lraders. This country seemingly is now ruled by thieves.
It is the corruption of greed and the politics of dishonesty of some of our public officials that have created dislocation and suffering in our society. It is greed and dishonesty that caused the shortage of classrooms in our schools. It is also the same greed and dishonesty that we have unpaved roads and decrepit bridges. They are also responsible in widening the gap between the rich and the poor in our society; render the poor homeless, the sick untreated and create unemployment. In the book of Jeremiah, he addresses these wicked people, in this language: “But you! You are full of selfish greed and dishonesty! You murder the innocent, oppress, the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”
There is no use beaming with pride saying that our country is booming in its economy while our society is greed-ridden. Even when our peso gets stronger, this does not outweigh our culture of greed and dishonesty. We have to make a moral choice: either to speak out and stand up for the gospel values of honesty or silently condone these social evils. Simply put, we can elect to stand up for morality or just keep our heads down. Carl Jung reminded us that “we live not only for our own lives but, whether we know it or not, also the life of our time.”
In the fairytale story of Snow White, her step mother asked “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” We ask about some of our politicians (private citizens included!): “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greediest of them all?”
It is so discouraging to watch our country run by some politicians who are greedy and dishonest. Those politicians who are greedy and dishonest are also those who we described as “haves and have mores.” Indeed greed and dishonesty are sometimes rarely seen by those politicians who benefit from them. Nowadays, it is rare breed specie of a politician to run this country who is disinterested, unselfish, and honest. One writer says, “Looking for an honest politician is like looking for an ethical burglar.”
Examples of graft and corruption in the government abound and the latest of which is the alleged participation of politicians, private citizens, and construction firms in collusive practices for a major road construction. I am sure other scandalous and immoral graft and corrupt practices will unfurl in due time if these are left unchecked. It seems that the country is no longer ruled by decent and respectable lraders. This country seemingly is now ruled by thieves.
It is the corruption of greed and the politics of dishonesty of some of our public officials that have created dislocation and suffering in our society. It is greed and dishonesty that caused the shortage of classrooms in our schools. It is also the same greed and dishonesty that we have unpaved roads and decrepit bridges. They are also responsible in widening the gap between the rich and the poor in our society; render the poor homeless, the sick untreated and create unemployment. In the book of Jeremiah, he addresses these wicked people, in this language: “But you! You are full of selfish greed and dishonesty! You murder the innocent, oppress, the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”
There is no use beaming with pride saying that our country is booming in its economy while our society is greed-ridden. Even when our peso gets stronger, this does not outweigh our culture of greed and dishonesty. We have to make a moral choice: either to speak out and stand up for the gospel values of honesty or silently condone these social evils. Simply put, we can elect to stand up for morality or just keep our heads down. Carl Jung reminded us that “we live not only for our own lives but, whether we know it or not, also the life of our time.”
Monday, February 9, 2009
A note from Aurora Pijuan
A note from Aurora Pijuan
--- On Mon, 2/9/09, aurora pijuan wrote:
From: aurora pijuan
Subject: Fwd: reaction
To: reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, 9 February, 2009, 3:37 AM
Hi Reginald,
I read your reaction to Tony's article and requested him to give you my
email address so hopefully, you can keep me in the loop on the next discussion
of Soul of the Nation. What he did instead was he gave me your email address.
Hope that is all right with you.
regards,
Aurora
--- On Mon, 2/9/09, aurora pijuan
From: aurora pijuan
Subject: Fwd: reaction
To: reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, 9 February, 2009, 3:37 AM
Hi Reginald,
I read your reaction to Tony's article and requested him to give you my
email address so hopefully, you can keep me in the loop on the next discussion
of Soul of the Nation. What he did instead was he gave me your email address.
Hope that is all right with you.
regards,
Aurora
A bad national habit
A bad national habit
Nowadays we are beginning to get a glimpse of people who intend to run for high political posts come 2010. They appear ready to lead and govern this country to greatness. On the one hand, some politicians posed as product endorsers on television and as advocates of pro-poor programs like cheap medicines, livelihood, and assistance to OFWs. On the other hand, there are also those well-meaning groups who package and advertise people as ethical leaders hoping that they will change our political landscape and our national life for the better. We are overwhelmed by the lofty-promises and sweetened assurances of these seemingly innocent and virtuous people that our country will be better off with their kind of ethical leadership. We are clueless if what they are saying is true or not. We should be cautious then. Politics after all had changed its meaning- it is no longer the art of governance but the art of not telling the truth. However, we will soon know the truth after election if indeed they are our sincere leaders who have the heart to truly care for us and this country.
Perhaps, equally important to consider aside from knowing the candidates for the 2010election is how to choose the best leaders. These days, we are going through tough times because we elected into office not the right kind of leaders. This is obviously becoming a bad national habit. Rather than working for our aspirations and hopes as a people, these elected leaders use their positions to enrich themselves and their supporters. We deserve this lot though. And true to the cliché- we deserve the kind of government we have.
When will we ever learn how to choose the right leaders to run the affairs of this country? When will we ever know how to cast a thoughtful vote and not a bought-vote? When will we discover that we have a reasoned conscience and God to deal with when we cast our votes?
At the very least what we need in this country are informed electorate. We can avoid an ineffectual government and forestall the influx of corrupt and shameless leaders when we vote intelligently and with conscience. Let me address this challenge to those who call for the moral force and ethical leadership of this country: help us voters prepare ourselves to choose the right leaders for this country. Help us have our voice be heard in the 2010 election. It’s about time that our voice be heard. We can change the fate of this country because we can vote wisely and rightly. Our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal eloquently echoed this sentiment when he said, “This people does not complain because it has no voice, it does not move because it is lethargic, and you say that it does not suffer because you haven't seen how its heart bleeds. But some day you will see this, you will hear its complaints, and then woe unto those who found their strength on ignorance and fanaticism!”
Nowadays we are beginning to get a glimpse of people who intend to run for high political posts come 2010. They appear ready to lead and govern this country to greatness. On the one hand, some politicians posed as product endorsers on television and as advocates of pro-poor programs like cheap medicines, livelihood, and assistance to OFWs. On the other hand, there are also those well-meaning groups who package and advertise people as ethical leaders hoping that they will change our political landscape and our national life for the better. We are overwhelmed by the lofty-promises and sweetened assurances of these seemingly innocent and virtuous people that our country will be better off with their kind of ethical leadership. We are clueless if what they are saying is true or not. We should be cautious then. Politics after all had changed its meaning- it is no longer the art of governance but the art of not telling the truth. However, we will soon know the truth after election if indeed they are our sincere leaders who have the heart to truly care for us and this country.
Perhaps, equally important to consider aside from knowing the candidates for the 2010election is how to choose the best leaders. These days, we are going through tough times because we elected into office not the right kind of leaders. This is obviously becoming a bad national habit. Rather than working for our aspirations and hopes as a people, these elected leaders use their positions to enrich themselves and their supporters. We deserve this lot though. And true to the cliché- we deserve the kind of government we have.
When will we ever learn how to choose the right leaders to run the affairs of this country? When will we ever know how to cast a thoughtful vote and not a bought-vote? When will we discover that we have a reasoned conscience and God to deal with when we cast our votes?
At the very least what we need in this country are informed electorate. We can avoid an ineffectual government and forestall the influx of corrupt and shameless leaders when we vote intelligently and with conscience. Let me address this challenge to those who call for the moral force and ethical leadership of this country: help us voters prepare ourselves to choose the right leaders for this country. Help us have our voice be heard in the 2010 election. It’s about time that our voice be heard. We can change the fate of this country because we can vote wisely and rightly. Our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal eloquently echoed this sentiment when he said, “This people does not complain because it has no voice, it does not move because it is lethargic, and you say that it does not suffer because you haven't seen how its heart bleeds. But some day you will see this, you will hear its complaints, and then woe unto those who found their strength on ignorance and fanaticism!”
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Celebrating the Centennial in Aparri
Celebrating the Centennial in Aparri
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Saturday, May 30, 1998
NOW that the May elections are over and that Vice President Joseph Estrada is the winner in the presidential race, it is high time that we focus on the forthcoming Centennial celebration.
Please alow me to share with you and my fellow readers what we are doing here in Aparri to prepare for this historical occasion.
Every Monday since March all employees of the government agencies in their Filipiniana attire participate in flag-raising ceremonies at the Aparri public park. Each agency leads in the singing of the national anthem as well as in reciting of the "Panunumpa sa Watawat." Then a cultural number is shown by the lead agency and topics about freedom, independence and love of country are shared by the head of the agency concerned.
Every Monday, too, government workers are encouraged to speak Filipino in their offices as they conduct their official business or transactions.
In various government offices are Centennial corners depicting symbols of Filipino freedom and independence.
In grocery and department stores, hardware and restaurants, beauty parlors, owners and proprietors have encouraged to tag their goods and services worth P100 with a "Centennial price."
At the park is a billboard showing the countdown of the Centennial replicas of the flags of the Katipuneros and quotations to stir feelings of nationalism.
Philiipine flags are displayed in all business establishments, government and private offices, households, jeepneys, government and private cars, and tricycles.
On the night of June 11, we will have a cultural program at the public gymnasium showcasing Filipino dances and songs.
On June 12, it will be a red-letter day for all of us Aparrianos. In the morning, we shall have the longest parade the town has ever seen. All public and private offices, NGOs, civic and religious organizations, schools and others will join in the parade. Participants, in their Filipiniana attire, will hold small flags.
After the parade, a short program will follow at the gymnasium. More than 20 floats displaying our national heroes and heroines to be modelled by chosen government employees will be the highlight of the parade. Also included among the morning activities on June 12 are the well known fluvial parade of Aparri and Filipino games for our children like palo sebo, sack race and bunong braso.
On the night of June 12, the Ms Centennial will be selected and crowned from among the representatives of 42 barangays. Prizes will also be given to our centenarians.
These are just but a few of the many activities we have lined up in Aparri as we celebrate 100 years of independence.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO
Municipal Councilor
Aparri, Cagayan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Saturday, May 30, 1998
NOW that the May elections are over and that Vice President Joseph Estrada is the winner in the presidential race, it is high time that we focus on the forthcoming Centennial celebration.
Please alow me to share with you and my fellow readers what we are doing here in Aparri to prepare for this historical occasion.
Every Monday since March all employees of the government agencies in their Filipiniana attire participate in flag-raising ceremonies at the Aparri public park. Each agency leads in the singing of the national anthem as well as in reciting of the "Panunumpa sa Watawat." Then a cultural number is shown by the lead agency and topics about freedom, independence and love of country are shared by the head of the agency concerned.
Every Monday, too, government workers are encouraged to speak Filipino in their offices as they conduct their official business or transactions.
In various government offices are Centennial corners depicting symbols of Filipino freedom and independence.
In grocery and department stores, hardware and restaurants, beauty parlors, owners and proprietors have encouraged to tag their goods and services worth P100 with a "Centennial price."
At the park is a billboard showing the countdown of the Centennial replicas of the flags of the Katipuneros and quotations to stir feelings of nationalism.
Philiipine flags are displayed in all business establishments, government and private offices, households, jeepneys, government and private cars, and tricycles.
On the night of June 11, we will have a cultural program at the public gymnasium showcasing Filipino dances and songs.
On June 12, it will be a red-letter day for all of us Aparrianos. In the morning, we shall have the longest parade the town has ever seen. All public and private offices, NGOs, civic and religious organizations, schools and others will join in the parade. Participants, in their Filipiniana attire, will hold small flags.
After the parade, a short program will follow at the gymnasium. More than 20 floats displaying our national heroes and heroines to be modelled by chosen government employees will be the highlight of the parade. Also included among the morning activities on June 12 are the well known fluvial parade of Aparri and Filipino games for our children like palo sebo, sack race and bunong braso.
On the night of June 12, the Ms Centennial will be selected and crowned from among the representatives of 42 barangays. Prizes will also be given to our centenarians.
These are just but a few of the many activities we have lined up in Aparri as we celebrate 100 years of independence.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO
Municipal Councilor
Aparri, Cagayan
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Uneven IRA shares
Uneven IRA shares
Should poorer towns have bigger IRAs, and richer cities less or none at all? This is now being floated by some local government authorities in order to even the economic growth in all localities in the country. This suggests that economic growth should have been more balanced geographically if there is equal distribution of IRAs.
I must add that that the economic paths taken by towns and cities are not only generated by this inequitable sharing system of IRAs among LGUs but also the ambiguity of goals and plans of local and national governments. The Local Government Code of 1991 gives special emphasis on the harmonization of local and national development goals. But it is very unfortunate that LGUs sometimes have their own priority programs, projects, and activities which more often than not deviate from those of the national government. Every budget year, LGUs are required to prepare and review documents like Local Development Plan, Local Development Investment Plan and Annual Investment Plan. These documents generally known as local development plans are vital in the preparation of the principal budgets of the LGUs, meaning, the plans shall be ‘operationalized’ only through the budgets. And, moreover, these local development plans must be aligned with the plans of the national government as indicated in the Philippine Development Plan, Medium-Term Philippine Development Program, Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, and Sectoral Plan. These plans of the national government are bases for the enactment of the General Appropriations Act.
However, are these local plans in harmony with the plans of the national government? Do these plans create an economic impact nationally and not only to those LGUs which have bigger chunks of IRAs? Do they create a synergy or partnership between the local and national governments in the effort to enhance economic growth and reduce poverty?
There is mushrooming of waiting sheds in LGUs with names of politicians etched on them. There are plenty of city, town and street markers around. There are many tarpaulins with pictures and greetings of politicians all over the country. Are these the only projects contained in the local plans? Are these the indicators of economic growth?
There should be a strategic direction of all LGUs and that is to follow the path of national development. The plans and goals of the LGUs should be in harmony with the national plans and goals. I strongly suggest that oversight agencies like NEDA, DILG, and DBM should carefully review also the local development plans of the LGUs prior to the release of their IRAs. If the local development plans match the national plans then IRAs be released. Otherwise, they have to be modified for consistency and synergy with the national plans. In that way we can feel a spectacular economic growth not only to towns and cities whose IRAs are huge but also in poor LGUs whose IRAs are merely pittance.
Should poorer towns have bigger IRAs, and richer cities less or none at all? This is now being floated by some local government authorities in order to even the economic growth in all localities in the country. This suggests that economic growth should have been more balanced geographically if there is equal distribution of IRAs.
I must add that that the economic paths taken by towns and cities are not only generated by this inequitable sharing system of IRAs among LGUs but also the ambiguity of goals and plans of local and national governments. The Local Government Code of 1991 gives special emphasis on the harmonization of local and national development goals. But it is very unfortunate that LGUs sometimes have their own priority programs, projects, and activities which more often than not deviate from those of the national government. Every budget year, LGUs are required to prepare and review documents like Local Development Plan, Local Development Investment Plan and Annual Investment Plan. These documents generally known as local development plans are vital in the preparation of the principal budgets of the LGUs, meaning, the plans shall be ‘operationalized’ only through the budgets. And, moreover, these local development plans must be aligned with the plans of the national government as indicated in the Philippine Development Plan, Medium-Term Philippine Development Program, Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, and Sectoral Plan. These plans of the national government are bases for the enactment of the General Appropriations Act.
However, are these local plans in harmony with the plans of the national government? Do these plans create an economic impact nationally and not only to those LGUs which have bigger chunks of IRAs? Do they create a synergy or partnership between the local and national governments in the effort to enhance economic growth and reduce poverty?
There is mushrooming of waiting sheds in LGUs with names of politicians etched on them. There are plenty of city, town and street markers around. There are many tarpaulins with pictures and greetings of politicians all over the country. Are these the only projects contained in the local plans? Are these the indicators of economic growth?
There should be a strategic direction of all LGUs and that is to follow the path of national development. The plans and goals of the LGUs should be in harmony with the national plans and goals. I strongly suggest that oversight agencies like NEDA, DILG, and DBM should carefully review also the local development plans of the LGUs prior to the release of their IRAs. If the local development plans match the national plans then IRAs be released. Otherwise, they have to be modified for consistency and synergy with the national plans. In that way we can feel a spectacular economic growth not only to towns and cities whose IRAs are huge but also in poor LGUs whose IRAs are merely pittance.
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