The biggest difference

Gene Orejana, whose evening television show over ANC is the Philippines’ version of Larry King Live, sent his reaction to my column item about the penchant and bad habit of DPWH officials and other authorities to engage in buck-passing. In that column, I cited the perennial road problems like potholed streets, leaking water pipes, and other hassles that cause horrendous traffic jams.

* * *

"There is something worse than buck-passing in the DPWH," said Gene. "It is inaction. No action at all. Or being blind and deaf to a problem." As Freddie Aguilar’s popular song goes, bulag, pipi at bingi.

* * *

According to Gene, there is a gaping manhole along East Ave., Quezon City, near the main headquarters of the Land Transportation Office. To be more specific, the manhole is located on the Quezon City-bound lane, a few meters away from the EDSA intersection. And this manhole, as any normal human being would expect, has caused gas wasting, time-wasting and initiating hassles to motorists and consumers.

* * *

I saw the TV show of Gene where he interviewed DPWH Secretary Simeon Datumanong on ANC News First last August – repeat, last August. This manhole problem was brought to Datumanong’s attention. And the DPWH headman, tongue in cheek, said he would immediately do something about the manhole, as soon as he went back to his DPWH office. It is now October, just a couple of days away from November, and the gaping manhole is still there. "Do we have to wait for a life to be snuffed out by the ineptness of the DPWH?" asked Gene.

* * *

"The open manhole problem was brought to the attention of the Office of the President through her texting center. Still, nothing happened. Maybe, your column can do better than our government," Gene said. Well, that he took time to write his letter shows how Gene Orejana must be so exasperated.

* * *

If I used Gene’s letter as main topic for today’s column, it is due to the reality – something that many people in the corridors of power apparently do not understand – that little things mean a lot, especially to the common people. And it is these little things, disregarded by government officials, that breed a lot of disenchantment and bitterness. And such disenchantment, mind you, can spell a big difference.

* * *

After I wrote about the lack of patriotism among many Filipinos, Matt Zobian, a foreigner who used to live in the Philippines, contacted me though my e-mail address. He said that he, too, sensed such lack of patriotism when he lived here.

* * *

"I feel sorry for your countrymen. The country’s national values are so discordant and unresolved that I think most Filipinos would find it difficult to define what I means to be a Filipino," Zobian said.

* * *

"A common ethnic heritage is nice, but it isn’t enough. Or necessary. What would be nicer is a society that stands firmly for something that works. Filipinos are desperately searching for that, and when they find it, I think you’ll find your countrymen as patriotic as any American," he added. Zobian wished us all a hearty Mabuhay! Thanks, many thanks.

* * *

Keen observers of the Philippine banking system say that the development of the banking industry has been lopsided. The emphasis on commercial banking – where operations are focused on corporate or big borrowers and depositors – has resulted in a low savings rate among our people. Because most banks cater to commercial establishments, Filipinos are not encouraged to regularly set aside some money in a savings account.

* * *

This is an inadequacy and a gap that thrift banks are now trying to fill. By encouraging savings and extending affordable financing assistance, thrift banks help generate funds for investments that could be used for economic development ventures. And they encourage the people to open savings accounts.

* * *

Apparently, this was the vision of a group of Filipino and Singaporean investors when they put up the Citystate Savings Bank some four years ago. At that time, the bank set its long-term goals along the line of participating in the growth of the middle market and lending to emerging entrepreneurs.

* * *

Part of the local consortium that has a stake in Citystate Savings Bank is the Fortune Insurance Group, led by Antonio Cabangon Chua. Its foreign partner is Citystate Management Group Holdings Pte. Ltd. of Singapore, an entity that manages insurance and real estate businesses throughout Southeast Asia.

* * *

From its opening four years ago, Citystate Bank has established itself as a major player in the thrift banking field. Which is unique because of the various crises that raged and continue to rage in the Philippines. Lately, the bank won another feather in its cap when its application for an initial public offering (IPO) was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

* * *

By going public, the bank’s investors demonstrate their faith and trust in the Philippine banking system. They are to be congratulated for this achievement, and well-meaning Filipinos wish them continuing success.

* * *

Thoughts For Today:

There’s energy not found in food,
strength not found in vitamins.
His name is Jesus.
Make Him a big part of your life.
Six ways to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred,
free your mind from worries,
live simply,
expect less,
give more,
and always thank God for His blessings.

* * *

My e-mail address: <[email protected]>.