Crossroads in history

Our nation is possibly in transition. Our citizens are indignant, frustrated with the reported massive corruption which is all over the news. Ghost and sub-standard flood control projects that were funded by our meager resources were uncovered and exposed by an angry President Bongbong Marcos Jr. himself in his last State of the Nation Address.

Indignant students of national colleges walked out of their classes last Friday in an attempt to rally a nation that has been neglected for decades. More open expressions of defiance against our political leaders are expected to be organized by civil society, professionals, academe, employees and workers, retired military and uniformed personnel, religious groups and other organizations who want to put an end to the seemingly collective plunge of a people in crisis.

Further agitated by the violent events in Indonesia and Nepal, our entire nation is also moving. The whole world, watching, deciphering where all these would eventually lead. Sept. 21, 2025 has been targeted as a reckoning day where show of force will be displayed. Messages, though from different directions, will echo in one voice – drastic change is demanded. Accountabilities, expected. Major reforms, clearly required if only to pacify a society that is potentially on the verge of adopting more aggressive options.

Poverty is everywhere. Ignored mostly, but persistently seen both in our rural communities and the different corners and turns in our urban centers. Informal settlers, called squatters before, are still slum dwellers despite the different nomenclatures. Most of them live in sub-human conditions in their shanties that could hardly qualify as houses. Bereft of the basic requirements for decent existence, many of our citizens in these forsaken areas constantly struggle to survive daily for their food. Education is elusive here. And health care is a luxury that could hardly be available.

Official reports claim that we have around four million Filipinos who reside in these areas. We can safely assume that most of them have a very nil chance to escape from this poverty trap. Sadly, the fate of most of their children is certainly the same or even worse. The vicious cycle of poverty causing educational illiteracy, then creating more financial dependence, depriving everyone of adequate medical attention, breeding criminality and forcing the need for more houses to accommodate a growing population of poorer Filipinos.

We need an economy that conquers hopelessness. The best antidote to drive poverty out from our midst is for businesses to thrive and increase the number of workers and employees who would be given more than enough wages and salaries. The middle-class must be expanded. This will be possible only if the environment for growth and expansion is fully established and sustained.

Businesses need stability in government policies, among others. The infrastructure for transportation and connectivity must be addressed and be built with standards that can match the levels of other countries. I’m confident that the new Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon will initiate and roll out the needed network of roads and bridges that provides the robust access of farmers and manufacturers to their market. And work from their homes to the offices must be dependable and convenient. I personally know him, that’s why I’m confident that his relentless attitude towards endless work would fulfill the mission.

Electricity prices and power quality must be comparable with our neighbors. Manufacturing costs must be within the range where our local producers can fairly compete, especially in the global market. There is a need to revisit the specific provisions of our Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) law. Our energy sector is still amongst the most controlled and dominated by the traditional players. Electricity prices are still relatively higher and the quality of delivered energy is still wanting. Thus, the intentions of the framers of the EPIRA law are still not attained.

For several times, I pushed for the ease of doing business issue. I ranted and argued that there are low hanging fruits that can be taken so that businesses, especially the smaller ones, will become successful. Incorporating a new firm takes much longer compared to other countries, where registering a new corporation can be done in three days or less. Here, more than 30 days. And in our country also, a mere barangay official can give even large corporations the headache even for legitimate projects that are supposed to benefit their communities.

Corruption deprives the country of the ability to support businesses with the solid infrastructure that would allow the uninterrupted creation and flow of goods and wealth. Worse, even the perception of it scares many investors and corporations.

We are now living in a historic juncture where we are being made to select which road to take. We are also in a rare situation where we have to make a decision which role are we going to pursue in the ongoing desire of our people to secure better governance. As the proverbial saying goes, which side of history will you be on?

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Email: arielnepo.philstar.com