An Overhaul

by Val Castillo-Martinez

Our nation has a lot of heart, good values, and very hardworking citizens.

The problem is that we are stuck in a rut. A rut that has been inflicted by poverty, fueled by corruption, and enhanced by cultural taboos embedded in our way of life.

We lack efficiency and discipline. Bureaucracy and red tape has slowed down processes in the public and private sectors. Corruption is present everywhere we turn, from the highest political leaders, down to the policemen that stop us for a traffic violation. The worst part about this is everyone accepts it because “it is the way it is.”  And if there is always a demand, there will always be a desperate supplier.

Poverty enables this. Poverty has been the competition, the supplier. Poverty’s physiological needs outweigh its principles. Poverty offers the cheap shortcuts, and since we have lived in our somewhat fast-paced life, we choose shortcuts over doing the right thing. Since we are people who try to avoid conflicts, we look the other way if we see wrongdoing.

We are highly materialistic. We rely too much on media, technology, and the latest fads. We are ten times more consumers than producers. We import a whole lot more than we export. We either lack the funds for redevelopment, or we do not efficiently use our resources. We are forced to invite in investors and do not receive enough compensation. Foreign investors will then tend to keep most of the profit and abuse our resources.

            We are poor savers. We have poor time management.

We look up to the wrong people. We know more about actors and models than scientists and inventors. Our education system lacks encouragement. This leads everyone to turn to the TV screen, instead on contributing to change and development. Our successful professionals tend to “leave” the country in search of better opportunities. And when they have success, they forget to look back and help their fellow countrymen.

It is a vicious cycle that has to be broken in order to head into the right direction.

           For many decades, it has been this way. We have accepted things for the way they are, but we need to understand that it is up to us, our generation, to start doing things the right way. We may be too young or too small but we have the power to make a change. We know the difference between wrong and right, and we have to choose doing the right thing, stick to our morals, and exercise our integrity.

The smallest efforts matter, trusting our system, eliminating the need for shortcuts, whistleblowing on wrongdoers, being thrifty, investing in our development programs and supporting local efforts. Specific examples are: avoid bending to corrupt officials - giving “lagay” to policemen, report government workers who “prolong” processes, prefer local goods over foreign imports – use your paycheck to buy local goods, maybe book a trip to a local destination, or better yet, put it in your savings account.

Most importantly, support local efforts. Get involved in local community programs, rehabilitation programs, donate to charitable institutions, anything that would interest and fulfill you as a Filipino. There are numerous non-profit organizations that need volunteers. And if there isn’t a group that matches your interest, why not start one?

As for our citizens migrating to other countries, why not start giving back to our community back home? Maybe allot a monthly or annual contribution to our fellow countrymen in efforts of redevelopment? Secure a reliable fund that has guaranteed allocation to an institution or charity? I am sure that when we send money home to our families, there are also less-fortunate ones who would benefit from our help.

In order to have a better Philippines, we have to let go of our bad habits and commit to doing things the right way. We have to help each other, keep checks and balances, and contribute every way we can. We need to evolve as a people, be self-aware, and aware of the world and the changes that occur around us.