How to do a national reset?
While they are not new phenomena, the persistence of poverty and corruption remains deeply troubling, both as significant issues in their own right and due to the ineffectiveness of the measures taken to address them. These twin scourges effectively stifle any potential for widespread progress and prosperity, instead ensuring that such benefits are reserved for a select few. The enormity of poverty and corruption renders them national crises, yet it has become increasingly clear that national strategies are failing to make a dent.
In the Philippines, the seeming intractability of poverty and corruption can be largely attributed to the lack of effective law enforcement. Despite having a substantial police force, a broad judiciary, and a vast bureaucracy, their size does not translate into efficiency. They are present in large numbers, yet they fall short in carrying out their duties with competence. Consequently, the disparity and social injustice that poverty and corruption embody continue to fester, eroding the fabric of society.
But this, too, is nothing new. It is such a recurring state of affairs that many are discouraged from efforts to resolve them. The decline of the Philippines, traced all the way back to the 60s, saw it toppled from its elevated position among Asian countries until where it is today somewhere near the bottom of the barrel. All sorts of prognoses and analysis point out to one consistent factor among several, and that is corruption. It is not about the corruption of the many, it is about the corruption of the few who rule through formal authority, wealth, influence, or force.
My deepening interest in the study of societal life has been fueled by the narratives and research of historians, anthropologists, and behavioral scientists. I’ve also sought insight from the wisdom of the ancients, whose teachings have been revered by many cultures around the globe. In times of uncertainty and fear, merely skimming the surface of current events seldom provides clarity. Yet, by examining the cycles of history, we can discern echoes of the past in our present – patterns that seem to recur, pleading for a more profound understanding.
It is a natural human response for those who are frustrated to yearn for immediate solutions to the pressing issues that plague their daily lives. However, we often overlook the fact that quick fixes have consistently fallen short or even exacerbated the problems. Persisting with approaches that have repeatedly failed ensures a continuation of that failure, yet breaking free from this destructive loop proves challenging for many. It dangerously invites an innovative, even radical approach—sometimes from an external source—to interrupt the cycle.
Our domestic instability is further intensified by global volatility. As our political leaders engage in internal squabbles, the international landscape fares no better. It’s crucial to acknowledge our embarrassing reliance on the economic and political climates of other nations, as their troubles inevitably exacerbate our own vulnerabilities. Consider the significant revenue that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) contribute to the nation and their families, or the business that foreign clients of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms bring to our economy, bolstering national income and providing jobs for Filipino workers.
The urgency for a national vision and movement to recalibrate our foundational principles cannot be overstated. We cannot afford to prioritize real estate development on our lands over enhancing them for increased food production. Our survival hinges on empowering our rural communities and harnessing the productivity of our lands and seas to sustain ourselves independently. We must honor the natural gifts bestowed upon us, rather than racing to become one of the world’s largest food importers.
As we revel in the blessings of our naturally abundant land, I hold firm in the belief that we are a people graced with intelligence, creativity, and an innate ability for human connection and service. It is with profound sadness and frustration that I observe the squandered potential of our bountiful resources and our talented populace, which have been met not with appreciation and cultivation, but with exploitation and neglect.
The plight of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk stands as a testament to this neglect, their invaluable contributions undervalued and overlooked in favor of imported sustenance. This same pattern of disregard extends to the nurturing of our children, whose natural intelligence and talent contrast starkly with a learning poverty rate of 91%. This dire statistic paints a grim narrative of neglect, abuse, and exploitation, casting a shadow over the future of our nation—a future inextricably linked to the well-being and development of our youth.
I am convinced that no vision or movement can truly resonate with and galvanize the Filipino people unless it acknowledges and builds upon the inherent strengths and capabilities of our land and our people. We cannot flourish by striving to become something we are not. My fervent hope is that a new wave of concerned and patriotic Filipino leaders will emerge—from our barangays, towns, and cities, from our farms and offices, from our schools and churches—leaders who understand that we must unite to confront our fears and aspirations.
The challenges we face as a people and a nation transcend the divisions of politics and governance. The landscape is cluttered with the cacophony of opposition, yet the voices of those who suffer the most, whether from material want or the moral desolation that pervades, are too faint. We need a national dialogue to address our collective burdens. To allow the turbulent winds of confusion and discontent to dictate our course of action would be an act of recklessness.
We can start on a modest scale, forming close-knit groups, until we collectively recognize the shared problems, the shared good, and the shared aspirations. Change is within our grasp, but there must be enough of us to initiate the journey toward it.
