In PH, moral poverty root cause of material poverty

This is in reaction to Christopher Ryan Maboloc’s commentary, “The forgotten war on poverty” (Opinion, 10/5/16), where he pointed to government flaws as the reason Filipinos remain stuck in poverty.

For this, selfish government officials are to blame, he said. However, let us not forget, the reason they are in power may be us Filipinos, our very own selves. It seems ironic—even as we want a just and perfect government, we knowingly cast our votes for the wrong people.

I am a student not yet qualified to vote, but I believe what Maboloc said, poverty is not just a political concern, it is also a moral issue. It remains pervasive in our society for the lack of moral courage and values among Filipinos—virtues that can be instilled in the hearts and minds of all Filipinos, regardless of age.

We, the youth, are exposed to all forms of immorality. We live with people who sell or waste their vote for short-term, instant self-gratification. Because of this, it is impossible for our nation to achieve victory in the war against poverty.

Remember, the war on poverty is not the concern of the government alone, it is also ours. If we want to effect real change and eradicate poverty, let’s start with ourselves.

JAVY AGACITA DELA CRUZ, javyagacitadelacruz@gmail.com