Are we ready? (Last of two parts)

We have already heard stories of those suddenly laid off recently. One is now at a loss about how to maintain the installment for his service car needed for his former job. He and his family may be OK financially for some months. Then what is in store for this family after the money runs out?

More unemployed from among the ranks of the present employed may be forced to join the ranks of the poor and possibly, the hungry as well. That is certainly another scenario that we all wish will not take place.

And is government prepared to protect our people from possible adverse economic impacts already taking place in developed nations? Are we all ready as well for further worsening of this country’s economic situation?

If government is not ready yet, it can start by being candid and honest about our real economic situation. It is one thing to paint a rosy, robust, healthy economy and another to hide the exact opposite from the people. It is one thing to say in public that this government can absorb and employ those who will be sent back from abroad. It is best to check these pronouncements against the reality of our present huge unemployment and underemployment. If already millions of our people at home are not employed, how on earth can this government still employ those who lose their jobs abroad who will be forced to return to this country?

If government is serious about preparing our people and this nation from impending economic displacements, it may wish to secure food and food producers first. It may wish to secure other vital resources and those who manage these vital resources.

Government and other sectors may wish to embark on more intensive food production and efficient resource and waste management more seriously now. Let us all learn to plant and cultivate areas around us.

Schools and students should be encouraged to do self-reliant food production and efficient resource and waste management schemes. With millions of students and schools all throughout this country, it will be easier to ensure food security once they are enjoined to sustainably practice effective resource management schemes.

Education is also necessary at this point. Government and Media should already be honestly discussing recession, its causes and effects and preparing people to get ready to cope with further economic hardships.

And a freeze on unnecessary infrastructure, mining and oil drilling should be declared. Use the funds for these projects instead to ensure continuing, sustainable food production and supply and more local employment opportunities for our people.

No one else can help ourselves but us. The Filipinos should be protected by the government. The responsibility to protect our people, to give jobs to our people, to feed our people cannot be passed on by this government to foreign investors and employers. National and local government officials should prioritize that all their constituents have enough and sustainable food production and supply and continuing jobs with salaries sufficient to meet the needs of everyone in the family of the employed.

Are we ready for any possible worsening of our economic situation as a people and as a nation? Are government officials and politicians ready to give up self-interest, quest for power or to stay longer in power for genuine public service, for the public interest?

The developed nations are in the midst of coping with major economic setbacks while our government still maintains its denial mode about the real state of our economy. It is about time government starts to be truthful and honest and genuinely prepare our people and our nation from further economic woes.

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