This is in response to the column titled “Come out of the cell” (Business, 5/5/16) by Conrado R. Banal III, wherein he commented “about the poor infrastructure in this country.”
The column brought to mind the unusually impressive infrastructure in the Ilocos region. Out there, our eyes feasted on scenic, serene coastal towns, with the deep blue sea to the left and majestic mountains, rice fields and vegetable farms to the right, all the way up to the excitingly picturesque Patapat in Pagudpud! The well-cemented roads are simply endless, especially in Ilocos Norte.
We helped install the image of Saint Josemaria Escriva, the saint of ordinary life, in the parishes of Ilocandia, where folks are known for hard work, given the extreme heat and vast arid lands that farmers have to cope with. St. Josemaria, whose feast day is on June 26, taught that all honest work, done well out of love, makes holy the person, his work and others as well. Felicitas Ballesteros, a tireless octogenarian and a retired public school teacher of Laoag City, joyfully guided us around the area.
In Ilocos Norte, we were quite amazed at the superb concrete diversion roads efficiently connecting towns and barangays which have concrete roads as well! It was like a walk in the park, as they say, as we crisscrossed easily through towns and barangays, even at nighttime, on to the remotest parts near the mountainous Apayao province.
We thought, then, that it was indeed possible to maximize the use of public funds in building the much-needed roads for inclusive growth. With good roads, farmers and fishermen can easily transport their fresh produce and catch to the markets. Townfolks get their regular supply of food at lower cost. Domestic and foreign tourists provide local folks many opportunities to earn a living. If this is replicated all over the country, what a fantastic, positive multiplier effect it would bring for the benefit of Filipinos!
Let’s hope and pray that the newly-elected leaders will selflessly help improve our lives, especially those in the peripheries, as Pope Francis encourages us to do.
—CHING D. AUNARIO, chingauna@yahoo.com