Too many dangers loom, from unenlightened to downright ill-intentioned political actors both local and on the international scene, to catastrophic environmental trends arising from willed ignorance and inaction on the part of decision-maker, and sadly, the broad general public.
For those paying attention, it can feel like end times.
But as long as we’re alive, unlike the 47,000 people killed in Gaza thus far, we might as well give meaning to the fact of being alive.
As crucial issues face us, how about we take individual and better, collective action to address them?
Who wants to join a bi-weekly discussion group to consider issues and action? (Contact this space.)
Admittedly, it may be less hassle to leave it to others to act, but isn’t it past the time for taking the lazy way out?
For one major thing, it’s an election year for us. Already, the usual silliness and antics are on full display, and the outdated language (count the times you hear motabang adlaw- adlaw or amahan/inahan sa syudad) which reveals candidates’ pre-modern understanding of what political office really is.
But the trouble is not just “them”; the trouble is us, the millions of bobotante who made a Robin Padilla the No. 1 Senator the last time around. Which unworthies are offering themselves up this time?
At least locally, a citizen’s action group can exercise pushback, or on the other hand, strongly promote a good candidate.
The same with local projects: Are traffic lights the answer to traffic congestion or ugly vehicle overpasses? Just to accommodate ever more vehicles?
Why is absolutely no one, thus far, raising the idea of efficient public transit, electric minibuses plying busy routes so that private vehicles don’t clog up the City, and a sensible mode of mobility is ensured?
That should be on every candidate’s platform. Resources can surely be found for that as unconsciounable funds always seem readily available for every silly fiesta and “festival”.
And couldn’t the “Divisoria by the Sea” that is the ugly Pantawan today, apparently designed by the aesthetically-impaired, be turned instead into a green, shady, landscaped park where it will be agreeable for locals and tourists alike to sit and gaze at the sea, and yes, engage in interactive activities?
A vision for the future City and Province cannot be left only to elected officials whose major qualification (apart from financial resources) appears to be DNA (Vive les dynasties!), rather than relevant background and knowledge, intellectual curiosity to keep up with important developments, a consultative approach, and unquestionable moral standards. Whose idea of progress goes beyond conventional economics to integrate the pressing environment concerns of our time, fundamental gender issues, serious child and youth development programs (no “Mr and Miss Daycare”) for the sake of a better future. Tall order!
Our ballots may stay blank with such criteria.
But it’s not just actual voting that counts, rather, the conversations and debates, bringing ideas and issues into the public arena, and to the candidates, too, making the important noise, risking and countering the criticism that is sure to come.
Getting people past hopelessness and apathy to make this essential noise is the task at hand, what NGO folks have long called “organizing”, in this case, persuading friends, and friends of friends and their contacts to join in the conversations, and possible actions.
It’s a way to have a relevant year, and could be fun, too. A few folks have signed up, a venue identified…contact this space. Let’s have a year that makes sense!
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Author’s email: [email protected]