2011 : Expecting to be better?

For 2011, the first month already ended what more can we expect for the next eleven months?  I believe that a lot of things in a national level to a personal level.  Recently, we have been advised already of the minimum fare for jeepneys and the forthcoming increase of the South Luzon Expressway tollgate fee. The fare for the MRT and LRT’s are already rumored to be increasing in the near future. Some commuters have already experienced the increased of the flag down rates of the taxis with plate numbers ending with 1 and 6 and later on, all available meters will already be calibrated. What about an increase in salary? Personally I’m not complaining with what I’m earning, but an increase is not a bad idea, with all the prices going up from transportation fare, gas, vegetables, fruits, medicine and other expenses most people will be complaining. I’m just wondering why people can’t accept change. I know we are not other countries who’s status are already far ahead of ours. I guess being democratic country has its disadvantages. If you’re going to look at other countries such China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore for example, they have already exceeded us. We may have the most hard-working people in the world but without the support, what can we achieve? I’m not saying that our government is not supporting our needs but it is just not enough. If you’re going to read the news or watch it on TV about the issues our country has encountered.

      Sports – In sports, we do have the PSC helping our national athletes in their needs. They provide shelter, food and monetary allowance but what else? A third party company or organization steps up to support our athletes. Mainly business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan of PLDT/Smart Telecommunications and TV5 provides support to our national athletes. Currently, he supports the Smart Gilas National team, the PBA team Meralco Bolts and currently he vowed to offer financial support to our Football National team the “Askalz”. He also supports the San Beda College and Ateneo de Manila University. Other sports enthusiast here in the Philippines is Fred Uytengsu of the Alaska Milk Corporation. Known for being the owner of the PBA team Alaska Milkmen, what other people don’t know is he also supports the softball team and even came up with an idea of having a national tournament for softball. With the help of other people, this tournament materialized and we are able to check out the softball players outside ofMetro Manila. Another person who supports a different is sport; I have to apologize as I have forgotten to person’s name. I believe he is a board member of the 7 11 convenience stores. All my apologies to this person who supports cycling. He already managed or at least part to host several events for cycling. Other notable figures in sports are Danding Cojuangco of San Miguel, Mikee Romero of North Harbour Centre and the Lhuiller family who also supports various sports most notably in Cebu.

          Military – Our military badly needs our support. From their uniforms, boots, belts, caps and other financial needs.  High end equipment that can make their job easier and a lot less dangerous. Being in the military is not a joke. 80% of the military personally lives away from their family as they are designated to the other regions of the country.

          PNP/SWAT – Remember the hostage taking that made the PNP and SWAT the butt of all jokes? You will hear during the hearing that they are fully equipped with the right tools to may have closed the drama earlier, instead they were very cautious because they don’t have the proper safety gear or they lack in training. Is it because of the funds not being enough to purchase equipment or require them to have a more advance training?  This boils up to what is happening to budget and where it goes.

     Firemen / Medic / Public Hospitals –Same problem with PNP/SWAT, they lack the proper equipement. Education – This issue is a bit complex. Who is really to blame for the downside of education here in the Philippines? Is it the teachers? The students? The school environment itself? If you’re going check into this matter you will be able to determine that this entire problem goes to one thing. Money. The budget for our public schools is there, the problem is it is not being delivered to its proper destinations. You will see schools that are in need of a renovation, in need of new chairs, tables, blackboards and even rooms. One major problem is the salary of our public teachers. The students, their attitude towards school will vary. They will have their own reasons, no money for school payments, no money to buy food, etc. 

These are just a few problems that our country needs to take look at in different angles. This will not be solved overnight but I still commend the government as they are doing their best. I just hope that their best is not yet on the limit what they can do.