These are critical times

The pre-war generation underwent two very trying times: the Japanese occupation that turned Manila into the second most devastated city after World War II and the martial rule of Ferdinand Marcos that reduced the country from the next richest economy in Asia after Japan to the second poorest after Bangladesh.

Now we are facing another critical period, which may turn from bad to worse. First and foremost is the worldwide recession further aggravated by the activities of international terrorist groups. Now there is another impending threat that may affect us all – the conflict between the United States and Iraq. After the American experience in Pearl Harbor and the World Trade Center, the United States would be very foolish if it does not take pre-emptive steps in Iraq based on intelligence information.

If that happens, crude oil prices would triple to $80 a barrel and strangle the world economy. This is the event that Iraq destroys its own oil facilities and includes other key facilities such as next-door Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. According to experts who discussed the impact of a US attack on Iraq, all you need is $40 oil to bring the economy to a standstill. If it reaches as high as $80 as expected, the whole world would be at a standstill.

Can you imagine Metro Manila without any form of motorized transportation? The price of crude oil accounts for about 44 percent of the gasoline price. Even if oil is available, transportation companies would not be able to pay the prices as their passengers would not be able to afford the increase in transportation price.

An American attack in Iraq is a probability and it can happen at any time. What steps, if any, are we taking in the event that war breaks out in Iraq? Can you imagine Metro Manila and the whole country going back to the horse and buggy days? Tricycles will be the main source of transportation.

A better question would be: What steps can we take? The best thing we can do is to live as sparingly as we can and mentally prepare ourselves for the worst scenario. During President Diosdado Macapagal’s term, the main thing he urged the people was to lead a simple life, meaning to dedicate their lives to their jobs as their service to the country. That is what each and every one of us can contribute to during trying times.

The irony is that times are hard enough. Yet, we have people in our midst who want to make things even harder. What is their solution to the world’s problems? Senseless terrorism. How can the killing and maiming of innocent people and children bring about a better world?

Let us hope for the best and prepare for the worst.