Values formation needed in building a nation

In his recent interview, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte broached the idea of introducing a “three-child policy” to promote family planning and regulate the Philippine population. He said, however, that he would not be forcing the policy on couples but that he is merely suggesting it. He is definitely pro-RH (reproductive health).

On the other hand, the Catholic Church is firm on its stand regarding procreation and against the RH Law.

We don’t have to look at this issue from a pro- or anti-RH perspective. Having grown up in an environment where people blamed poverty for their misfortunes, I don’t believe that any bill or law can alleviate the plight of poor Filipinos at this time.

But I see the incoming President’s point. It is very alarming to see the irresponsible behavior of parents negatively impacting the lives of their children. Come to think of it, how could a man who can hardly provide for himself sire children? How could he provide them with enough food and send them to school?

We are responsible for one another. Every decision we make, right or wrong, affects people around us. Nowhere is this truer than in raising a family.

I am a Catholic and I believe its doctrines. But the way I see it, we seem to forget what essentially defines humanity: values. In this light, we should look for other possible interventions before resorting to legislation.

For example, in values formation, we are missing a lot of important things. This was manifest in the recent elections: Apparently, Filipinos have become so desperate with the way things have been, that is why they voted a president who vowed to strictly work on making change happen.

But Filipinos nowadays have shown themselves to be an irresponsible lot. This is best illustrated in social media. Well, irresponsible parents beget irresponsible children. And poverty leads to a lack of education which, in turn, gives rise to poor decisions. Thus, dysfunctional families, teenage pregnancies, drug abuse, joblessness and a lot of other problems have become commonplace. And the vicious cycle spins on. One doesn’t need a diploma to understand this, just plain common sense.

How we see things definitely matters. Instead of arguing endlessly and dividing the nation over RH issues, why not go back to the basics? Develop the right values in people. Focus on the inner individual. Or resurrect good manners and right conduct, which includes integrity, honesty and responsibility. And we may redeem yet our real, but lost, Filipino culture.

Everyone wants CHANGE—for the better. I believe that government officials and the Catholic Church have a common goal, which is to help Filipinos achieve a better life.

—TIFFANNY GAIL L. MORALES, high school teacher, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Calamba