No wonder so many Filipinos want to go abroad!

I cannot blame our Filipino brothers and sisters who want to seek greener pastures abroad. We are drowning in too many local and national problems that can only be resolved by an efficient government system (which we still cannot seem to perfect — I wonder why?). Imagine in our own homes, we have to deal with the problem of water supply. Whenever I turn on the faucet in my bathroom I have to pray to God that an adequate amount of water comes out of the pipe. I am sure that many politicians do not experience this because they have either installed deep wells in their homes or illegal "booster" pumps to increase the water supply in their homes. But what about the "Pinoy" who cannot afford — well, he suffers and sacrifices each day before or after work to fetch some water for his family. Another problem which has already affected the pockets of even government officials (since they really have no choice but pay it) is the outstanding cost of electricity. Then, we have the usual garbage disposal problem which may have been partially alleviated by a short term solution but still needs a long term solution. We cannot just wait for another Payatas Tragedy to happen. And last but not least of our domestic crises is the escalating cost of food. Why are market prices rising – do we lack supplies of rice, vegetables, meats, chicken and pork? Can’t we do anything to improve the availability of our basic needs?

Do you realize that a worker earns a minimum salary of P250 a day plus an extra P780 per month (on a 26 day period) as mandated by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board under the Department of Labor and Employment (Wage Order No. 9). This increase is known as "ECOLA", Emergency Cost of Living Allowance — all together the worker earns P7,280 a month. So, if the government does not help control prices or try to resolve these issues, then, the Filipino has no choice but to seek employment abroad. Mind you, your expenses do not end here. You still have to pay a monthly rent for home or an apartment (because it is definitely difficult to really own a home right here in your own country). Then there are tuition fees for your school age children, plus transportation and clothing expenses.

Okay, let’s say living expenses are really high just like they are in Japan or Singapore but open your eyes and check out the difference in the quality of living in these countries (I am sure many politicians have traveled and are able to compare the differences). There is no pollution and traffic. Crime (such as kidnapping, carnapping, theft) is not an issue since it is under control. The streets are clean and there are no beggars in sight. No shanties or old dilapidated facades to give a shabby aspect to the neighborhood. Here in the Philippines it is the opposite — my God help us! It would be a joke to promote the Philippines at this time. If Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon thinks he can show us the Philippines as "Visit the Philippines" in Year 2003 — I wish him luck! I mean how can you promote the Philippines if the inner streets are disorganized, the traffic is still grid locked and the roads are "moon craters"? In fact, we worked hard to afford a new car and when we drive it around town it frequently breaks down owing to the awful roads.

Ask your friends and family who come home to the Philippines to visit — I am sure all of us have relatives who have already fled abroad. We feel like last ditch warriors trying to fight it out here in our homeland — I hope we get somewhere, someday! The "Balikbayans" are always nostalgic and excited about coming home to visit but as soon as they arrive — a strong wave of "culture shock" is experienced. It is actually "culture shock" in a different degree — what they get is a shock to the eyes, nose, and other senses and shock to the mind – it is hard to explain it but I am sure you get the drift. Why is a Pinoy who comes home after many years in shock? What caused it? Do you really want me to answer the question with an obvious answer? Well, here goes . . . As soon as he lands at Manila International Airport (NAIA), he is met by the eye sore of hundreds of squatter shanties around the perimeter. The airport does not even have a beautiful and attractive welcome sign for the visitors. It does not even have a healthy green lawn. Remember first impressions last!

As the "balikbayan" drives to his destination either to a relative’s home or to his hotel — the road he passes through does not give him a warm feeling of joy and happiness — yup it does not impress him. It in fact, depresses him. So, while the "balikbayan" is sitting in his car, he is already wondering about the disappearance of the Philippines he remembers before he left to work abroad. He cannot believe that it has gone so far backwards instead of progressing. He was expecting it to look better than when he last saw it but to his despair, it even got much worse. But since he is a Filipino at heart, he tries to be optimistic and begins to enjoy the wonder of being home, in the company of his relatives and old friends. And instead of enjoying the sights and sounds of the country, he ends up enjoying the warm culture which we have kept more or less, intact through the years – that of togetherness.This at least we can be proud of.

Although press released and government propaganda can cover up the problems through words and media mileage, the truth shall still prevail (oops! I just needed to borrow that phrase from The Philippine STAR)! Our country’s problems are very evident. The Abu Sayyaf terrorist problem has not yet ended. The antics of the corrupt and inefficient officials have become a daily circus act. The big bureaucracies in many government agencies are killing the system and draining our tax money. An increasingly mediocre education system is being swamped by a runaway population increase. Where are we going? Or better yet will we ever have a chance of achieving a good quality of living here in the Philippines? Or should we join the bandwagon and flee to the lands of opportunity — America, Australia, Canada etc.?

How can our leaders make a "change"! Let’s look at one leadership.There is a big difference between a leader and a secretary of a department (or manager) according to Addison Wesley who wrote a book entitled, On Becoming a Leader. He cites these qualities: the manager administers; the leader innovates. The manager is a copy; the leader is the original. The manager maintains; the leader develops. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust. The manager has short-range view, the leader has a long-term perspective. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. The manager has his eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon. The manager imitates; the leader originates. The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it. The manager is a classic good soldier, the leader is his own person. The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

I think the time has come, Madame President: we need a good leader who can revamp the whole system. A leader who can re-engineer or reconstruct the present state of our government’s systems. I think we have to start from scratch, I mean from one basic need. Leaving the planning of a framework (even of simple rules) to your cabinet members, to the local or to the national government will not lead us anywhere. You yourself must show us the way!