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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| P500 per Vote
By Antonio C. Abaya Written on April 30, 2008 For the Standard Today, May 01 issue It is not my intent to deprive destitute and hungry Filipinos � of whom there are millions � of the few crumbs that the Arroyo Government plans to throw in their direction from its scandalously over-stocked banquet table. My purpose in this piece is to point out the fallacies and false promises of this initiative, and to suggest instead what I think would be a better alternative. According to Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, in the April 27 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, her department will soon dispense monthly cash hand-outs to the 300,000 poorest families in the 20 poorest provinces. The basic dole-out will be P500 per poorest-of-the-poor family, plus P300 per child, with a maximum of three children per family. Thus the maximum dole-out will be P1,400 per family per month, to 300,000 families. Since almost all Filipino families have more than three children, that would amount to P420 million a month, or P5.04 billion in one year. If they were to start this program � called Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino (APP) � this month, by April 2009, its budget of P5 billion would have been exhausted. And then what? Having accustomed 300,000 poor families (or at least 1.8 million destitute people) to receiving monthly cash hand-outs for one year, without their doing an honest day's work, can President Arroyo afford to stop? Of course, not. She has to keep going. And because millions of other destitute people would be clamoring for their share - to the point of causing civil unrest in the face of escalating food and fuel prices - she would have to expand APP to cover, not just 300,000 families, but perhaps three million families, or even more. (Both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have estimates of the number of Filipinos living on less than $2 (P85) a day. They number much more than three million. A Social Weather Stations survey in February 2007 showed that 3.4 million households � or more than 20 million Filipinos � had experienced hunger at least once in the previous three months. That number must have increased even more in 2008.) Keep in mind that 2009 is the run-up to the 2010 presidential elections. Keep in mind that the initiative to amend the Constitution is still on track. A ChaCha Road Show was launched by Albay Gov. Joey "Bitch" Salceda last February 11 and is still on the road. Sen. Nene Pimentel and his 11 apostles, have unwittingly (or perhaps wittingly) aided the Arroyo Game Plan by pushing for a ChaCha to convert the Philippines from a unitary state to a federal union, and he wants this to happen before the end of President Arroyo's term in 2010.. Is Sen. Pimentel really so na�ve that he cannot see that, once his federalism ChaCha constituent assembly is convened, the Gloria in Excelsis Dado cumbancheros in Congress will chime in: "Since we are already debating federalism, we might as well debate parliamentary also." The overwhelming Kampi and Lakas majority in the Lower House would, to no one's surprise, shout in unison: "We should! We should!" and then burst into the Hallelujah chorus, if they knew the words. Now what can Sen. Pimentel and his 11 senatorial apostles possibly do to stem the parliamentary tide and prevent President Arroyo from doing a Vladimir Putin to remain in power beyond 2010? Absolutely nothing. The numbers would be stacked against them. It is in this light that one must view the Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino (APP), which can also be seen to mean Ang Pangulong Pang-habangbuhay. In my view, it is a devious and manipulative scheme to buy signatures for the ChaCha referendum in 2009, and votes for the parliamentary elections in 2010 or, alternately, presidential elections without term limits.. At P500 per vote per month, or P5 billion per year, that is equivalent to just the $130 million (P5.4 billion) overprice in one contract, the aborted ZTE deal. Only God and the Chinese know how much overprice there was in the 26 other contracts that the Arroyo Government signed with them. But aside from the political machinations implicit in the APP, there is also the mendicant attitude that such dole-outs cultivate in the minds of the recipients. This is a classic illustration of the truism that if you give fish to a starving person, he or she will be able to stave off starvation for one day. But the following day, that person will be starving again. But if you were to teach that person how to catch fish, he or she would not go hungry again. Lastly, there is the problem of implementing such a literally cash-rich program, which will attract all kinds of scam artists faster than anyone can say Magkano ba ang akin? Let's face it. We are not the Most Corrupt Country in Asia for the past two years for nothing. Unless President Arroyo can find an army of nuns � the type who saved Jun Lozada from being silenced or killed � I would assume that a great part of the budget for this program will magically attach themselves to the sticky fingers of officials and bureaucrats, from Malacanang to the lowest barangay. Perhaps that is the main idea. If I were president, I would not give hand-outs even to the poorest of the poor. I would instead organize them into manufacturing and service co-operatives, to produce goods and services for which there is a real need and demand. More about this in a future article. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com.. To subscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Subscribe. To unsubscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Unsubscribe. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �P500 per Vote� More Reactions to �Federal Fol-de-Rol� Hi Tony, Well written/spoken. Wish that NGO's or concerned individual will join Lozada in his sorties for the truth, not only for the truth but the whole truth but also to disseminate information about this scam (doling P500) and its hidden purpose. This is what really ails the Filipinos as those not in the know are always taken for a ride in the name of help/aid. Thanks and more power. Bert Celera, (by email), May 01, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, This $130 million "bukol" of the aborted NBN-ZTE (PHP 5.4 billion) project, if given to Gawad Kalinga (GK), tranlates to 90,000 houses at PHP60,000 per house. If the PHP500 per vote per month is given to GK instead, then it could meet its vision of 700,000 houses in 7,000 communities in 7.7 years at PHP41.50 to $1(original target was in 7 years at PHP50 to $1.) Bert Peronilla (an avid reader from New Jersey ), May 01, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Forwarded to Tapatt) Perry, A better alternative to help the country improve the economy and populace, incl. the image of the disgraced -- bayad-utang, and consuelo de bobo, THEN gracious EXIT. NOT EXTEND THE STAY ! Ben Oteyza, (by email), May 01, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good thinking. If the Philippine government has an office for cooperatives, your idea should be implemented. I hope your article can move them to do as you suggest. Lourdes Ceballos, (by email), May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: Obviously GMA & Co. will stop at nothing to perpetuate themselves in power. Those families who are fortunate enough to receive this "manna from Malacanang" will of course feel indebted to the giver and, out of a sense of gratitude--"utang na loob"--routinely do what is expected of them. But of course that doesn't solve the problem of widespread chronic poverty afflicting millions of Filipinos. It only creates a culture of dependency--which is probably the Machiavellian intent behind this scheme in the first place. How right you are. The right thing to do would be not simply to give the poor fish, but to teach them how to catch fish. But here's the rub. If the poor get to know how to catch fish, they may no longer be quite vulnerable to the Machiavellian schemes of the politico-economic elite to perpetuate themselves in power. A Catch-22 situation, if I ever saw one! Sincerely, Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers , NY , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Re: P500 per vote ~ True! True! True! Slam dunk! You wrote: This is a classic illustration of the truism that if you give fish to a starving person, he or she will be able to stave off starvation for one day. But the following day, that person will be starving again. If you were, however, to teach that person how to catch fish, he or she would not go hungry again. ~ That�s why Erap became and still is the champion of the poor. Though it works unfortunately but politicians are grooming the mass or poor Filipinos into bunch of lazy ones. P500 per month each but the population is still booming. Wala rin. It is NOT a fix! Nope! Nope! Nope! Also, the congressmen/women/governors/mayors/barrangay officials are salivating to get a hand of these pesoseseseses! It may turn out to be P100/person while the other P400 will be used in financing congressmen�s/women�s, governors� and mayors� mansions, plantations and beach vacation houses, etc. You wrote: If I were president, I would not give handouts to the poorest of the poor. I would instead organize them into manufacturing and service cooperatives, to produce goods and services for which there is a real need and demand. ~ This is the nationalistic and correct way!!! This is it!!! Giving them fish nets to fish. The �5 billion� budget a year can do a lot for these 300,000 (or even more) poorest of the poor kababayans. But you see, most of the Filipinos are hooked up to watching Kapten Barbel and other magical movies, so they want to see the fish right away than knitting or making the fish nets. Lazy people want answers right away. They don�t want sacrifices to make the nets and find the fish. They want the fish to knock at their own doors while letting the fish say �Hello, I�m here! My boss told me to cook me pleaseeee! And guess what? My friends will visit you next month�. That�s the problem! Juan Tamads in the high-tech years! The government baby-sits them and it is designed to make them like pets! Do me a favor, please do an article about reforestation hocus-pocus. It�s a concern too. Previous governments had programs for this but these so-called reforestation administrators (plus the politicians, etc) burned hectares of hectares of young trees. The main reason is, the maintenance budget of the plantation will be untouched and all the way to their personal bank accounts. These evil doers should be persecuted too! Salamat! LF, [email protected], May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Stupid as stupid gets. Whose idea is that? She's trying to buy the votes of 300,000 families and probably some more. She's desperate to stay in power. There are more than 3 million Filipino families living like rats, does she think doling out 500 per family will REALLY help them out. I believe a lot of those "poor" families are poor by choice because they are lazy. Edgardo Dacpano, (by email), Dallas , Texas , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I agree with your P500 per vote article. Once the con-ass is convened, it will be like opening the floodgates of the San Roque dam that we will be deluged with all types of proposal. And most likely, when the water recedes in 2010, our people will be clueless what hit them because, Gloria will still be our leader and there will be more SenaTONGS and Crocs a.k.a. Congressman lurking on whatever possession was left in our possession. What's driving Sen. Pimentel to spearhead this proposal? I think he can't run anymore for re-election, right? Why not plant kamote instead. But anyway, I think Sen. Pimentel should not be the person leading this charge. In my opinion, he is not that good and if I remember it right, even Pres. Aquino booted him out of the Dept. of Local Government. The reason he is still around is because he kept on playing the victim card in the dagdag-bawas incident. I am for the revision of our Constitution. But it should be after 2010 in order to avoid suspicion and conflict of interest. And beside we have a good batch of presidentiables this coming 2010. Roxas is a trusted name as a public servant, and who will not admire the success of Sen. Villar? Kabayan and Loren were both respected by the public. So let's give these batch a chance first. And please say No to these political dole-out. Have a little self-esteem, people. Sincerely, John Dee, (by email), May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Thanks, my friend. Bullseye! Willie Villarama, (by email), May 02., 2008 (NOTE: Willie Villarama was chief-of-staff of then VP Gloria Arroyo. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Is there hope for the Philippines ? So troublesome. Marilyn Donato, (by email), May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, Dole-out is never an ideal solution. You're right in labeling it as a vote-buying strategy. Such a crazy scheme will only result in encouraging laziness among the predominantly lazy male population in depressed areas. What the government could have done was to allot some budget for a solid livelihood program to empower the poor and teach them "how to fish". Only rich countries can institute a welfare program for its constituents. We are a third-world country and as it is, we are mired in debt. I can already see the confusion that will ensue from this, just in the initial stage of determining who are the rightful recipients. Best, Yett Montalvan, (by email), May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, in my town in Cavite , I was told by my friends that P500 is paid to supporters who promise to vote for this benefactor/malefactor and P500 is paid to supporters of the opponent -- for a purple ink thumb and fingers-- JUST not to vote against this candidate. We thought that was a good day's income. Arroyo's is better -- recurring monthly P500 not only for the registered voters but also members of the household? How wonderful can it get? Aurora Riel, (by email), Murfreesboro , North Carolina , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony: Brilliant!! Your clear articulated analysis is par excellence. And the alternative is most sensible. You have outsmarted the scoundrels, corrupt and cheaters in Malacaniang. Carry on Tony with your good journalistic work. We are listening. Martin Celemin, (by email), Las Vegas , NV , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You have raised many valid concerns against this dole-out program of Mrs. Arroyo. However, among the positive thinkers, this program will not only effectively bring the government to the poorest people but will also stimulate commerce and productivity. For as long as government will not be printing new money to cause run-away inflation, the program will increase the purchasing power and the goodwill of the poorest. But before government should launch this program, it should see to it that there are enough funds for the basic needs of the greater number of people and funds to increase food production, and fight crime, smuggling and graft and corruption. Government has already wasted too much on wrong priorities, wastes and fraud. Government should also institute safeguards in order to maximize the benefits from this program. For example, instead of cash , food stamps and in kind like scholarships, free books, medicines, seeds and fertilizers and the like should be given to the poorest. Otherwise, there is the big risk that these monthly pensions will not be spent wisely. Reggie Gazmen, (by email), May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr Abaya, P5b a year in dole-outs is a lot of tax money down the drain, even in a country that is mired in a culture of mendicancy. To think that a private-sector initiative like Gawad Kalinga enjoys overwhelming success using probably a lot less funding. What is keeping the Arroyo administration from coming up with a counterpart program? Such tandem programs, running in parallel, offer some benefits. For one, it gives the public an opportunity to discern, by way of comparison, why a particular project and its proponents are not performing the way they should. All the best, Willy Calinawan, (by email), Pasig City , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Antonio Abaya: I agree with your article as it pertains to the negative ramifications of continually doling out money to the poor, instead of preparing them for self-sufficiency. Bob Awana, (by email), Hawaii , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You are right Mr. Abaya - giving dole outs would only encourage the poor to be poorer......more children....more mouths to feed.....more medicines to give out......more budget to the drain.........While the middle class who is shouldering a big percent of the taxes paid to the Govt., they receive less in terms of benefits from the SSS and GSIS? This is like legalizing or formalizing poorship, beggarship....something that FM mastered during his time.....illegal settlers spread out like mushrooms....then he would court them for their votes.....in exchange for a few kilos of rice and other sorts of things....promising them lands.....work....etc........but when it was time for development.....their shanties would be demolished.....who was brave enough to go against the strongman at that time? Giving free hospitalization, childbirth, and other medicines only makes more poor poorer.....imagine giving birth for free......giving education without the parents having to shoulder a single centavo for their books, matriculation, etc......but they have enough money for their loads....their tayas in lotto or bingos, their lipsticks and makeup?!!! And many of these receiving free education are not studying at all. They would rather load their cellphones instead of buying the food they were supposed to buy at school? Then they will say they are the poorest among the poor??? Just as Jesus said....."Teach men to fish, but don't give them any". In the streets, we are often pestered by beggars knocking off our car windows....it is actually illegal to give to beggars on the streets.....but who gets caught? This guys are the cause of traffic and usually accidents on the street....but sometimes....when I see that the person is really disabled like lame or blind...... Rafael Alcuaz, (by email), May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Giving alms to the poor and the needy maybe good in the eyes of God but to me it is a bandage approach to a monumental problem and fails in all counts to resolve social issues. . A case in point is the long standing welfare system in America providing sustenance to poor families of which majority is black. Welfare system in essence has perpetuated the welfare and victim mentality, especially when the basis of allotment are children. Recent findings show many individuals in the system are single, unmarried women who have not worked for decades and instead gave birth to more children for the money. Recently, a new law was passed by congress insisting these individuals must undergo training to be employed. Otherwise, after a certain period without an attempt to be trained or employed the welfare subsidy will be discontinued completely. The welfare system and food stamps giveaways in this country have created massive problems, abuse and corruption. When it started the basic premise was noble but bureaucratic red tapes and people running these programs saw opportunities to cheat and steal and line their pockets. Who would have thought recipients of food stamps would barter them for drugs? Unless good control is enforced irregularities will occur. And taxpayers hard earned monies go wasted. It has been proven by psychologists that handout monies without efforts from recipients are never appreciated. Your idea to approach this handouts be earned through production is a plausible one. In that way, the poor receives training for future employment. Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville , CA , May 02, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww The Philippines are copying the welfare systems of the United States of America . Gawad Kalinga based in the United States of America is helping Filipinos get out of poverty by teaching them not to be dependent to the government but to be more independent. Sad to say that the US Government already out of proportions with their budget. What you dont know wont hurt you so they say. Lots of childrens and adults in the USA have no health insurance. But the USA spend more monies manufacturing bombs, missiles, airplanes that can dropped bomb to enemies etc. Just to get the oil reserved in that countries. It is sad but it is true. That is why God is coming to the USA to help His people because the government forget their own people. How much is the welfare system for one person here ? only 550 dollars a month? They dont want you to work, where can you find a place to live with that kind of money? apartment cost here a thousand dollars!!! I am not anti US. I am a Filipino, yes, am a US Citizen. But I live with God's word. God help me. I let Him control my life the way He control and take care of the world. If we control others, it will only hurt others, it also hurts us. If we let God do according to His Will, we will be a much better person. Remember that all of us belongs to HIM, if anyone disagree with me, then sorry but it is the truth. May the Lord Bless the Philippines and the whole world. Grace, [email protected], May 03, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: In your expression "Gloria in excelsis Dado", who is Dado? Pray tell us. I wonder if you intended to say "Diablo" instead of Dado, with apologies to the king of the underworld. Amado Cabaero, (by email), California , May 03, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good point, Tony. Even if this project is " good," my question is, why only now? We have so many poor communities and they have been poor for the longest time and why give the monetary subsidy only now? If their reason is the rice problem, I won�t buy it because the governmentt mismo says that we have no rice shortage. Its a PRICE shortage. Is the governmentt competing with Erap's gimmick of giving away rice to poor Pinoys? Using tax money for political motives is really damaging this government's image. Problem is, superficial and band aid solutions ang binibigay ng gobyerno sa atin eh. One immediate step for me is to import rice muna under NFA, pero NGO ang magbababantay. Long term pa rin talaga solusyon is how to control the population growth. Sa akin, this issue is being used just to side track the ZTE anomaly. Mike Delgado, (by email), May 03, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, If I were the president and I have the money to spare, I�d rather: 1. Give just once a one-year budget for a family. Somehow, a percentage of them might embark into livelihood projects that they know of like store on kariton, shoe repair, etc� 2. Or advance to would-be OFW�s, pay-later-plan, so they could immediately work abroad. It is expensive to process papers; or 3. Organize open-field learning for carpentry, masonry, brick-making� TESDA is too bureaucratic, pulos pa-pogi points lang. Rue Ramas, (by email), May 04, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: I am forwarding to you a reaction of a friend to whom I forwarded your article entitled "P500 per Vote". His name is June Lim and may be reached at [email protected]. Chito Sequera, (by email), May 04, 2008 Chito, While I quite agree that social dole-outs breeds further dire consequences as indolence and dependence, I believe administrations since the last century had been equally guilty of such palliative solutions that only institutionalized and strenghtened our culture of mendicancy through the ages. All of these measures are meant to keep the poor poorer, for if it truly works, we could have had eradicated poverty even before our time. This is further aggravated by the church's policy against birth control on the guise of being pro-life or even pro-poor. Look at its dire consequences: mass mass population growth equals, if not doubles, mass poverty! With the cash rich churches and their tax exemptions to booth, what do they really have to offer in terms of addressing or alleviating mass poverty ? Have they taken any positive action towards addressing and totally eradicating the miseries of the people. Are they not into variuous dole-out schemes too? Have they thought of any game plan to increase rice and food production ? (The next six paragraphs are diatribes against the Roman Catholic Church, which we can skip since they are off-topic. BTW, I am NOT a Roman Catholic. ACA) The problem with Abaya is the stereo-typed character of our tri-media. They shoot from their waist without first drawing their guns off their holsters. For good measure, they hit their legs instead. (The problem with Lim is that he wants to shoot but he does not even have a gun. ACA) That Ahonbayan plan of the government has yet to come-out with its implementing rules and guidelines. But our bloody press got wind of it and concluded that it is another political ploy of Malacanang. That's how Abaya thinks as a matter of bad habit. (The name of this scheme is Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino, not Ahonbayan.ACA) During the term of the late Diosdado Macapagal, he had put in place what was then called the EEA or Emergency Employment Agency headed by no less than Eleuterio Adevoso, a war-decorated hero of that guerilla movement against the Japanese Imperial government in the Philippines . What has EEA achieved ? Initiall feeder roads to open and connect remote municipalites to major highways, waterways and cities. These feeder roads have evolved into provincial and municpal hi-ways that we now have all over the country. They are now first-class roadways after succeeding administrations followed thru the completion of these road networks. I want to conjecture that this AhonBayan is patterned after Pres. Diosdado Macapagal's carefully thought mass employment that made possible a workforce to construct road networks to link remote towns and cities for most parts of the country in order to encourage the flow of commerce and promote economic growth. I believe GMA also had this in mind after initial public discussions on Ahonbayan's proposed implementing rules and guidelines.. THE BENEFICIARIES OF AHONBAYAN SHALL BE MADE TO WORK AND BE GIVEN RESPONSIBLITIES FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST MERE DOLE-OUTS ! (How can APP be patterned after the EEA? The EEA gave daily wages for daily work. The APP proposes cash hand-outs of P500 to P1,400 A MONTH for doing nothing. It is way below the minimum wage, which is P256 a day or about P6,090 plus COLA for a 27-day work-month. Why doesn�t Lim set a shining example by volunteering to clean esteros eight hours a day, 27 days a month, for P500 (if he�s single) to P1,400 (if he has three or more children) A MONTH. ACA) If these cause-oriented groups can claim they have the numbers, why can't they instead use their numbers to plant trees, clean the streets, clear polluted and clogged waterways or make themselves productive citizens to protect and preserve not only the environment but ensure socio-economic-political stability as well. Do I hear a resounding AMEN from the Church, Civil Society groups of lost causes, Politcos and Tri-Media ? (Do I hear a resounding AMEN from June Lim? ACA) If GMA is not the solution, definitely she is not the problem but we, ourselves, who had that bloody indiscretion of putting her there with the support of the Church, Civil, Political groups and Tri-Media as well. Now they are telling us that they made another holy mistake ! Next time we attempt at hitting our heads with another hammer, let's make sure that the next hammer is bigger as we hit our heads harder so that no one gets away at the expense of this nation ! (Never mind the hammer. Just clean esteros eight hours a day, for 27 days/per month, for P500 to P1,400 a month. ACA) AhonBayan is something for something at P500 per ! (Month, not per day. ACA) What's wrong with that ? What all the others need best to to do is to immeditely shut up or put up with their more brilliant ideas and opinions! They sicken me to the bones ! June Lim (If you do not sign up tomorrow for estero cleaning, at P500 to P1,400 a month, then you should immediately shut up because you will sicken many people to the bones. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, I choosed not to respond to many of your allegations against the Arroyo Adminstration's Plans and Program. When I started to be a Political activist during the 70's we were taught to uplift economic and political consciousness of the masses for the greater good. Presenting the socio- political,economic and cultural (SPEC) conditions of the Philippines , it can not be avoided that the SPEC Structure like a pyramid in itself is oppressive, that needs a major change or re-engineering. the very few or the elite will endlessly profit from the toils of all those down below. Much of our effort in elevating the economic conditions of the our poorest of the poor had not been actually in vain - they were used to it. They multiplied in numbers covered a larger area, and now almost every town, and cities all over the country. A few of them who were very enterprising, and was able to pursue studies got rich. Some are operating a mini- grocery or a small store, landladies renting rooms, operting a videoke, or video carrera, mini restaurants, rice dealer, kinder schools, OFWs name it these very enterprising "urban poor before" are even drug pusher. What I am trying to say, is that, with or without government, people change. They adapt to every situtation, let say, bad or good government, rising prices of prime commodities, cost of transportation, power, education, etc.. etc.. etc..and they are happy. In reality, the poorest of the poor maybe are much happpier than you and I. they have so many town fiestas, birthdays, summer vacations & outings, christmas and new year to celebrate. They get drunk almost everyday even without consistent source of livelihood or work. Now if the Arroyo Administration gives them Financial support by seeing to it that their children reach schools everyday, that is a welcome development. We should not lament specially the money does not directly comes from our own pocket. It was sourced from some Philathropic hands of Corporation as part of their Corporaate Social Responsibility. It is undisputable what Education could bring to elevate the economic conditions of the poor. maybe what they need are positive orientations to make the Plans and Programs of government more meangful and fruitfull. With regards to the move of the Senate in making moves towards Charter Change, this is what I have told you after ERAP was been released and granted full freedom. Senators feared they will not have a chance wining over ERAP's bid to return as President if ever Presidential system was still the form of our government by 2010. So the need to rush for a Cha-cha. If we go Federal and Parliamentary, Senators will have the chance to compete GMA for Prime Ministership position. I don't know why Filipinos who are more talented that their neignbors are afraid of change. Maybe oppositors ride in comfort and gets more favors with the present situation. If not they must be very crazy not to sponsor change! Are they afraid of their own shadows? Rodolfo Cada, (by email), May 04, 2008 (As I wrote in the article �P500 per Vote�, if I were president, instead of giving dole-outs [P500 to P1,400 a month] to the poorest of the poor, I would organize them into manufacturing and service co-operatives to produce goods and services for which there is a real need and demand. Thus they would receive monthly incomes several times bigger than the P500-to-P1,400 a month promised by APP, which is preferred by the Arroyo government as it is a convenient cover for buying signatures in the ChaCha referendum in 2009, and for buying votes in the 2010 parliamentary elections. And using taxpayers money for it. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww The P500 aid for education was copied from Latin America and found to have improved the lot of the families and the students. Wilhelmina Orozco, (by email), May 04, 2008 (I am aware that this was copied from Latin America . In Brazil , I think it is called Bolsa de Nacao. But I believe co-operatives are more rewarding � economically, socially and morally - than dole-outs. What can anyone buy for P500 a month, anyway, other than votes? ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, The decision to give PhP500 to the poorest people is not a bad idea but it promotes dependency. It is also seen as a political gimmick. If your estimate of PhP5.0 million + is correct to run the program, (that is its official budget, not my estimate. ACA) the temptation of misuse is always present. This amount would have a tremendous multiplier effect if it is directed towards community based businesses instead of outright dole-outs which are inflationary in nature. Dr, Nestor P. Baylan, (by email), New York City , May 05, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished of email sent to six addressees) Are you aware of this ill-conceived plan? Do other Filipinos who are well-fed, have the economic resources, power and brains ever protest? Offer other solutions? Care at all? Cato Marschner, (by email), Moraga , CA , May 06, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww NOTE. Because of limited space, this post may be truncated in acabaya.blogspot.com. It appears or will appear complete in www.tapatt.org. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Forwarded to Tapatt by Rachel Hermosura) MANILA, Philippines -- The P5 billion allocation of the Arroyo administration for the monthly allowances of families living below the poverty line only creates a "palaasa" (very dependent) culture, a senator said as he pushed for programs that would address irrigation and employment problems. "That's what I don't like, creating a 'palaasa' culture. We have to really come up with progressive creativity so that we can allow people�to be able to have their dignity," Senator Richard Gordon told reporters Monday. "The idea is productivity in rice and productivity in jobs. I wouldn't mind if the government put[s] P5 billion to build roads or to build irrigation," Gordon said, noting that this will prevent a "hand-out" culture. The government should be clear and should publish qualifications of families who will receive the monthly stipend, he said. Although Gordon said he "understood where the President was coming from" and that the President "did not want any more heart burn from the people na galit na galit dahil nahihirapan na sila [who are angry because they are hard-pressed], you cannot have P5 billion all the time." The senator suggested that using the allocation to buy rice and other rice substitutes like kamote [sweet potato], corn, bananas, and cassava would go a long way. Gordon said he and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia were planning to launch a program advocating the use of rice substitutes. ***** From the Philippine Daily Inquirer. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Federal Fol-de-Rol� (April 28, 2008) Tony, I had a running argument with Senator Pimental a few years ago over the Internet. He insisted that the Jericho march during the �Oust Erap� years, where we were supposed to walk around the Senate in batches of around 500 persons in each group. Thousands outside, waiting for their turn. We were stopped when we got to the flagpole and not allowed to go around the Senate building. Sadly, I don't remember if we had the trumpets blow. What I DO remember, though, is an adamant Senator Pimentel insisting that we were allowed to march. WE WERE NOT. And also, pictures speak much louder than words, so at least over the Internet, he could not change history. I am sure that if you ask him today, and he will still say that yes, we did the march. I hail from Mindanao , and wouldn't be too happy if he were to be President of Mindanao. Gerry Kaimo, (by email), May 06, 2008 Frustrated marcher wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww All these equate to the food on the table. Call to action, not rhetoric, is what we need. Marilyn, [email protected], Georgia , USA , May 06, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Response to Joemax Sensio Kiamco Dear Tony, I can't believe the short sighted issues Kiamco raised. Thank you for your responses. I wish to add my input. It is difficult enough to deal with the multitude of local, national and global problems the Philippines faces. For him to talk with accusatory resentment why Manila is the center of business and Tagalog as the predominantly spoken language in this day and age is absolutely absurd! Where was he when independence was declared and Tagalog was adopted as national language? Does he ever believe in unifying the nation with the positive effect of governance, business, policies and the peoples' quality of life ? Why was there no mention of Spanish and English languages being used? Was this an intentional overlook? What does he think would happen if people follow his brand of regional mindset? Such an approach is a fall back to the Spaniards colonial management. When Spain saw many differences in Filipino dialects they recognized their inability to communicate with other Filipinos was to their advantage. It was used by Spain as separatists tools by maintaining the status quo. So long as Filipinos speak their dialects the mistrust of other Filipinos will continue and it did for hundreds of years. Spain did not wish the Filipinos to unite because they would be staring at a catastrophic uprising . The ability to communicate in multi-dialects or languages is an asset. Communication is not isolated to talking or writing, it transcends many levels of feelings, nuances, cultures, experiences, etc. I would encourage Mr. Kiamco to open up his mind. Dispel his archaic and outdated beliefs. We are in the 21st century. With globalization it is too narrowly wasteful to play the blame game. Move on, man. Greeting to you from California . Salamat. Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville , CA , May 06, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I just have one comment on those who love to refer to Manila pejoratively as "Imperial Manila" who obviously cannot accept that every political decision has to emanate from Manila . But where else can such decisions emanate from than where the seat of government is centralized. Surely, if the seat of government is in Cebu City or Cagayan de Oro City, would they not call it Imperial Cebu or Imperial Cagayan de Oro, too? Cesar M. De los Reyes, (by email), May 06, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I didn't know your Mom is a Zamboanguena and that you grew up in Mindanao . By communicating with each other in Tagalog, Visayan and (perhaps in chavacano by your Mom) gave you the sense of a multi-cultural background without its attendant imposition, as it were. (Actually, it was my wife who was from Zamboanga City . My mother came from Cagayan de Oro City. And we grew up in Metro Manila , not Mindanao . ACA) Some of us don't grasp this kind of family influence, but they do form a character that is unique as it transcends sectorial mentality. Glad you are you. I would like to add more comments but it will only confuse more people. You - are taking the cudgel for us. I have only this to add: Our people must first grow-up. We are too mentally fragmented and the greed in us (is this a colonial influence as some believed?) permeates in our character. The desonance is tragic. One wonders when we as a people can form a healthy political will sans the greed. Oh boy! Jose I. Regino, (by email), Zamboanga City , May 6, 2008 Life is a Gift, don't waste it. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, This issue I disagree withy your commentaries. I am from Zambales, but I do support Federalism since I had travelled extenisvely in Mindanao and saw first hand the neglect of infrastructure and social development of the region. I subscribe to the idea of federalism because the centralized government in Manila has not spread evenly on the Mindanaoans. Its a rich fertile land would nevder be developed. Sayang. Comlementing teh federalism movement is the adoption of the jury system that would unite even the rebels to gowithin the fold, since their peoiple people would be called to jury duty. With the jury system which we had personally submitted the Chief Justice Reynato Puno last year, the federal form of government would benefit all our people. Now only the politicians and the elite businessmen enjoy the system of centralized government in Luzon . Your reader Ross Feliciano is damn right. Perfectly right. I am glad that Nene Pimentel has taken the initiative in the Senate before in his last term. I think Nene leaves a legacy as author of the local autonomy and the federal movement. It must be supported by all. Vic del Fierro Jr., (by email), May 06, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, Have many times you have to emphasize to your readers that there is nothing wrong with the system of government in the Philippines . It is the people running the system re: politicians and government bureaucrats that are comprehensively 'wrong' and we all know what this means. What Filipinos need to do is to concentrate on looking for alternative leaders that are incorruptible, that are keen on sacrificing their own interest, that have the proven record of no-nonsense type of leadership even if meant by-passing friends and relatives, that are absolutely resolute in service to fellow men and women above oneself, and maybe for one good measure has a strong belief in an entity called God, the source of all being. Unfortunately, Filipinos no longer possess the luxury of time, and unfortunately too Filipinos don't bother unless directly affected by circumstances. Just for the sake of a simplistic argument, we were very proud of the EDSA revolution that rid the country of a corrupt tyrant and replaced by the Great Filipino hope in a simple housewife, hope that fizzled quickly even before it gave a spark. We stood tall and proud at EDSA millions of us according to historians. I was then living in Sampaloc and in my whole street no one even bothered to see what's going on at camps Aguinaldo and Crame, or in nearby Nagtahan bridge or Mendiola, or Welcome Rotunda. I was angry with myself that I even bothered and risk my life and the future of my family, but I was more angry at the apathetic 'I don't care attitude' of people in my streets some of them were friends and relatives. Now I am still one of the millions of Filipinos who are still hopeful of change in my motherland, though I have to contend myself that maybe not in my lifetime. That is why as one of the millions of Filipinos, I took the chance of moving out of the country together with family, at least now I could say with pride that my small remittances or gifts to my relatives in my motherland have helped prop up a troubled economy. Salamat, Rev. Bert Dellosa, (by email), Melbourne , Australia , May 06, 2008. 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