Changing Times Philippine-style
The perennial increase of oil in the world market diminished the quality of life of the working class whose incomes are tragically below poverty line. Oil commands the price of everything. Being as it is, even if the citizenry will exert effort to minimize if not completely eradicate poverty & hunger by working more till every bone in their bodies ache, it will not be of any help. Our economy is fast going downhill. Corruption is rampant and our system has miserably failed to stop it. People will just shrug their shoulders and will even idolize those who corrupted the very source of our misery-our dwindling economy; loans from all sources; over-priced government purchases; junket trips abroad; etc.
We say that we take good care of our elderly…do we? Except for personally taking care of our own elders in our homes, loving them and giving them attention still, our government failed to really “take care of our old, frail bodies, hungry, poor & oppressed elders. Getting medicines from the pharmacies take all their efforts & strength. They are being asked to produce numerous requirements for them to be given only a limited supply of medicines that they need. The pharmacies will serve them last if there is a line. They are being treated like the mendicants of society. Getting discounts that our law gives them take some courage & hard work for them. We do not respect our elders as much as we want to convince ourselves. The government miserably failed to do so. The espoused bills to protect the rights of our senior citizens are like dreams-hard to avail.
Our pensioners still get the same pension despite & in spite the sky- rocketing price of everything! Their monthly pension cannot even buy them a decent meal. It’s about time that Congress & Senate do something for them. They were once useful & productive and contributed their talents, skill, energy & intelligence to our industry & economy. Let us give them what they deserve by giving them what has been denied them for a long time. It’s about time that we look into their needs.
Talking of salary increases and upgrading the pensions of retirees, isn’t it illogical that we are given just a token while our elected officials still enjoy spending their pork barrels to projects that are over-priced and some if not all are even ghost projects?
Filipinos will forever be poor thanks to its elected leaders!