Causes of poverty

The hefty power rate hike approved by the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) gives us another concrete proof why 90% of Filipinos are still poor and why our poverty problem will not be solved. Obviously, this rate increase enables the giant electric monopolies to maintain their profits at the expense of the consumers especially the poor sector whose meager earnings will be further diminished. It confirms without doubt that the “tyranny of capitalism” is the main cause of the unequal distribution of wealth as pointed out by Pope Francis in his recent Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium.”

Aggravating the situation is the present government’s full support to this type of tyranny through the ERB which approved the impending sharp hike in the electric rate despite consumers’ mounting protests against it especially at this time of the year. Even worse is that the ERB might have approved the increase despite the reported collusion among the power plants to create an artificial power shortage resulting in the more expensive power supply.

Assuming that our economy is supposed to be improving as repeatedly claimed by this administration in its press releases, the reality is that only the 10% of our population composed of the business elite and the rich are enjoying the much acclaimed economic boom. Obviously our financial system still promotes the “trickle down economy” where the supposed progress has not been felt by the great majority of our populace which remains below poverty level. Hence our poverty problem has not been solved.

And our poverty problem will never be solved also because of politics and corruption in our government. This twin menace reared their ugly heads once more in the midst of the recent deadly and destructive calamities occurring in our country particularly in the central Visayas. What is so revolting here is that even at the height of the sufferings and deaths of our people and devastations caused on our land, our government officials still resort to these deplorable practices.

It is really so disgusting to learn only now, more than a month after the super typhoon, about the videotaped conversations between Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas and Tacloban Mayor Alfredo Romualdez during a planning session before the super typhoon made a landfall, and immediately thereafter, on the possible courses of action to protect and help the victims. Whether or not the tape was spliced, one thing is clear and undeniable during such meetings — even in the face of an impending disaster, and up to now, our government officials are still playing politics in the performance of their functions.

What is more disgusting here are those comments of Mar Roxas caught in video after Romualdez refused his demand for a city council resolution or a “letter” that will supposedly “legalize” the national government’s takeover of the disaster relief operations in the devastated city. I hope it is not true but what was aired in social media shows that Roxas allegedly told Romualdez that “the President is an Aquino and the Mayor is a Romualdez.” And at the end of the footage, he says that “without the official request, “Bahala na kayo sa buhay n’yo.” Such utterance coming from a government official especially from Mar Roxas whom I still hold in high esteem, is really quite shocking and almost incredible. But he has not denied it, nor has he pointed out to us what he actually uttered. He even admitted he really asked for a “letter” because he “just wanted a clear delineation of tasks” and then only claimed that the video was malicious as it was spliced and meant to cover up Romualdez’ incompetence as Mayor of Tacloban and pass the blame on to the national government.”

There is really no point in finding out which is the right side in this latest exchange of charges. In fact both sides may have their own plausible reasons for their actions. The point here is that this latest episode undeniably shows that even when the lives of our people are at stake and in the midst of devastating events befalling our country, our national and local officials are still playing politics and promoting their self interests.

In fact power politics appears to be also involved in the rehabilitation of the victims and the rebuilding of the devastated areas. The latest move of this administration in creating the position of “Rehabilitation Czar” has also been seen as politically motivated. And this is further confirmed by the appointment of Lacson, who has always been considered as a dyed-in-the-wool politician with a moist eye for the presidency ever since. While he may be up to the task, there are certainly a lot of other civic minded and apolitical citizens in this country who are more competent to do the job.

More depressing yet is the existence of corruption in the distribution of relief goods in the disaster stricken areas. Even in the immediate aftermath of the devastation, reports were already coming out that some of the foreign relief packages are being repacked and their contents replaced with inferior ones. Such report seems to be confirmed by the recent news in British papers that British officials are complaining that their relief goods are now being sold in several stores located in Manila. Again, this has been denied by the DSWD. But why will British officials go to the extent of airing such complaint? Is politics involved here again?

With this kind of economic system, politics and corruption still prevailing in our country, our future is getting dimmer and dimmer.

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