Put a little love in your heart

I’m sure Secretary Ace Durano of the Tourism Department is counting the number of heads of the balikbayans arriving each day. As you can probably figure out yourselves, more balikbayans arriving spells out more income generating opportunities for the Philippines.

First, I would like to congratulate the "Ace" man himself (not Manny Pacquiao this time) for his efforts in building the image of the Philippines to the whole world. He seems to be the only one determined to help the country these days. His campaign to encourage local folks to visit places in the Philippines instead of traveling abroad is working. He has made us appreciate the beauty of the Philippines through the power of media. And thanks to some advertisers like Smart and the Magic Wow microphone, we are able to see the colors of our culture in television. I hope more advertisers help the efforts of the Department of Tourism in their plight to showcase our land, culture and traditions.

The local mayors have an important role to play in welcoming our balikabayans. They must support the Department of Tourism. How? By making sure their roads are clean and not "lubak-lubak" (with potholes). The pile of garbage typical of a street is a disgusting sight. Even as much as you tell us there is no garbage in your area — we can see it around, so just clean up!

Balikbayans love to walk around their area. They are excited to go to the nearby market to buy their favorite food, fruits, kakanin (sweets made out of rice or flour) and mane (peanuts). They will surely buy walis tambo (broom) which is not available abroad and tsenelas (slippers). They will buy so many things in that market but if the market is ugly and smelly, forget about it. They will go to a better market and you lose the business in your district. What an opportunity missed.

On Sundays, they will visit their local parish and meet friends. But if the parish is not organized but instead surrounded with dirty beggars, this becomes a threat to their safety. By the way, Mayor Lito Atienza can you direct someone from your most efficient staff to make sure that the sidewalks around Quiapo church is free from stagnant, smelly water and is constructed well? So many people visit that church daily and I tell you it is quite a horrendous adventure. I went there with my balikbayan relatives last month and they were not pleased. In fact, they were scared for their lives. There were not enough street lamps and no sight of police in the area. We were holding hands and clutching our bags as if it were the end of the world.

Well, let’s face it, some people are not used to the environment especially with all those characters selling "magic" potions, candles, begging, etc. There are also religious fanatics and fortunetellers. It is a fun place to go but we need to feel safer in the area. Not to mention the underpass which is very creepy at night. I happened to be there during a blackout and there was no generator nor emergency light. The strength of the Quiapo church is its pilgrims who have "panata" — that is why it is crowded all the time but some choose not to go there because of the condition in the area. It just needs further improvement. I’m sure you can do something about that. The city of Manila has already improved three-fold in the past years.

The streets where these balikbayans live must also be cleared off any basketball courts, talyer (car repair shop), signage works, etc. I don’t know why we Filipinos are not particular about the use of our public streets we tend to use it for private consumption and we get away with it. Why haven’t the barangay captains been able to put a stop to this? Is it because the people who violate the use of the public sidewalk or street is their compadre (help me with the translation of this word), inaanak (godchild) or pinsan (cousin)? Is there some point system that the mayors do? What if a barangay captain is not performing well, what happens to him or her?

In my area of Project 8, Quezon City the squatters under the bridge were already evacuated a year ago. They left the area but somehow managed to return. Now it is a community again. When the rains come, their lives will be at risk and whose responsibility will that be? Shouldn’t the local government prohibit squatters in areas were their lives will be threatened? I am sure Mayor Belmonte does not know that these things are happening in his district — sorry I happen to live in Quezon City so I will tell him myself through my writings. More to come Mayor B!

And as for you Mayor JV, I haven’t forgotten you. First, let me thank you for finally listening to me and clearing up the sidewalks in the Greenhills area. There are no more street vendors on the sidewalks of the Greenhills shopping complex. However, may I call your attention on the pasilyo or paseo (passageway) from West Crame, San Juan to the Greenhills area. That passageway where people should feel safe to walk has become a Korean market where goods are being sold. Are you renting that out to vendors? How much are you making there? Shouldn’t that be a public walkway? Why has it been converted to a mini-mart? Why not direct those vendors and Koreans to rent stalls in the Greenhills tiangge?

Speaking of the Greenhills tiangge. That has become a haven for our tourist. When you go to Manila you should not miss the Greenhills tiangge. I love it too but it has been too crowded nowadays. The Greenhills Complex Management (I am not sure if it is still headed by Mr. Drilon) has overcrowded the stalls in the passageway between Shoppesville and Greenhills Theater. Attention Mayor JV this is still your jurisdiction. Safety must be your concern. Please look into this. Not only is it a "firetrap" but customers don’t have breathing space anymore. Furthermore, there are so many "standby boys" in the area aside from the sellers. The environment is very much conducive to snatching and hold-up — please look into it. I am sure this will worry Secretary Durano. Just like Wowowee, a must-visit show of balikbayans, the Greenhills tiangge has built its reputation for a must-go shopping place not only for tourists but also for the locals. Let us try to take care of the valued customers. Maybe you should go and see it for yourself "Ace"!

Comfort Rooms is a necessity for all. So, make sure there are available clean public toilets. The malls have made an effort in improving their toilets. The gasoline stations in North and South Expressways have also good toilets. But in the tourist spots like in Luneta, Intramuros, Churches, museums and other local destinations more improvement has to be done. It only costs around P15,000 to P30,000 to improve your toilets so why not invest on them. Our local governments must inspect these tourist destinations and encourage their local businessmen to improve their environments — this will mean more patronage by local and foreign travelers.

The only missing link here is information for travelers. Maybe the "Ace" man should have more Information Centers in the major airports, gas stations and malls. With all your efforts in promoting the Philippines it would be a waste not to have vital information available to the local and foreign guests.

Much more to do but with your vigor and energy — as the saying goes, "you can do it!" Of course, with a little help from the mayors and your friends. As the song goes,

Think of your fellow man
Lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart
You see its getting late
Oh please don’t hesitate
Put a little love in your heart
And the "Philippines" will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see!