In opposite directions

Have you observed how people are moving in opposite directions in our country?

Congress has just approved a constitutional convention. Expect them to rush the Charter Change that will perpetuate many politicians/their families in power for more years to come.

Expect more open policy to welcome investors/foreigners to gain further control of our resources/our economy.

Did not Marcos Jr. say Charter Change was not his priority?

Did Congress move in a different direction from their president or was Marcos Jr. just paying lip service, seemingly moving opposite that of Congress but, in reality, is pro Charter Change as well?

Meanwhile, most Filipinos are unable to control their daily subsistence, no immediate end to hunger, poverty, homelessness, unemployment.

Why are Charter Change and foreign investment and control more important for the lawmakers and officials?

On the other hand, why are the millions of poor Filipinos not in the radar and priorities of those in government?

Expect inequality in wealth and power to widen even more from now on, the rich and the powerful proceeding to be richer and more powerful.

Do the rich and powerful even notice or care that the poor and powerless are drowning deeper in more poverty and powerlessness?

In the news, the Bureau of Internal Revenue will run after tax evaders.

Will the BIR finally tax the wealthy rather than the ordinary working Filipino?

What about the Marcos family unpaid estate tax? Will BIR finally compel Marcos Jr. and family to pay what is due the Filipino people?

Which direction will the BIR take?

The Filipino farmers and other food producers have always been ignored, never prioritized in the history of this nation.

When farmers and food producers are unable to provide adequate food supply, instead of assisting/prioritizing how our food producers can overcome their low supply and its causes, the knee jerk response of the present government is to import/import/ import so food supply is assured, never mind if palliative/temporary/artificial/incorrect.

This government is also prone to borrow/ borrow/ borrow to augment local funds forprojects that are not necessarily for the protection of people and planet.

Never mind the debts incurred, the Filipino people anyway will pay these, not those in government/their supporters who benefit from the debts at the expense of our people and our resources!

Take the case of reclamation.

 This seems to be a favorite project of many in government. Why?

 Oh, critics say there are billions and trillions of reasons why reclamation projects are most attractive for those in government now.

 While those affected, the fisherfolks, the coastal communities, the marine ecosystem, including the global environment are moving to preserve, protect people and planet, there are those in government moving in the opposite direction.

 Then there are the opposing views, policy and practice related to waste and its management.

 There are those who opt for inclusivity, for wider multilevel, multisectoral participation, there are those who insist that waste management is the prerogative of government, local and national, that favor the direction of disposal and incineration rather than responsible waste prevention and avoidance.

 There are those who prioritize waste over people and the environment in terms of funds/budget, land and other support.

 How far will the divide and opposite directions continue in this country?

 How far can the Filipino people bear the heavy burden of being at the bottom, poor and powerless, because those on top are excessively greedy for more wealth and power?

 A century hence?

For centuries, haven’t our people silently allowed themselves to be oppressed and taken advantage of by foreigners and locals combined?

 Or will the Filipino people soon seize another shining moment to demonstrate how those at the bottom can rise, topple those at the top, and successfully claim their much-deserved power and rights?