Lessons for progress

Looking back at 2007, are there any lessons that we have learned that we could apply to progress in 2008. To err is human, to commit the same mistakes twice is perhaps . . . sub human.

A. Fireworks at the end of the old year to mark the beginning of the New Year is a tradition which is often a mixture of joy and sorrow . . . especially for those whose lives and limbs are injured. The DOH under Secretary Duque has conducted a preemptive campaign to reduce the human sufferings caused by those fireworks by mass media warnings. We should continue this campaign by promulgating rules which will strictly supervise the manufacture and use of those mini bombs. If we licensed the use of the guns, why don’t we also license the purchase and use of those deadly fireworks? Secretary Duque has shown that the unnecessary losses in life and property could be reduced in 2007. Let’s continue the campaign in 2008.

B. The DepEd has announced a shortage in classrooms nationwide. It also would like to spend several billions thru a loan that will use IT to expand education nationwide. First things first . . . Let’s build the classrooms first considering they are not only symbolic of the hopes and aspirations of the poorest of the poor for their children to progress and elevate their positions in society, but the vehicle for future employment and good citizenry. Secondly upgrade the training and the material benefits of the teachers considering that those teachers act as the second parents for hundred of thousands of our youth and not the impersonal machines that will determine the course and the future of our nation. If some of our taxpayers would like to participate in nation-building thru CDA (citizen’s direct action) by advancing their taxes and building those badly needed classrooms, allow them. At the very least the citizen will stop complaining that their taxes are being misused and misappropriated.

C. Our athletes have participated in a lot of international competitions. May we congratulate each and every young Filipino who trained and participated in those games. Some won and some did lose. What is important in terms of nation-building is how our youth will manage the twin events that often makes human life . . . victory and defeat;  winning and losing; the pain of failing, the happiness of achieving. Competition will strengthen their soul, harden their will that no matter what the results are, they will still move forward and try to excel in their chosen field. The decision of the boxing association to prematurely forfeit their bouts in the SEA games to protest supposedly unfair judging is highly shortsighted and without consideration of national interests. Some nations will attain baskets of medals based on dubious decisions and unethical practices. They will be judged as a nation with poor character and weak moral upbringing. We should stay the course and slug it with the rest of them. What is important is our boxers . . . box and fight in the ring even if they have to face the odds of unfair judging. Ultimately science can be used to reduce the incidents of dubious calls or fixed fights.  If a Filipino athlete is trained to box, let him fight. He will not learn anything from the experience of participating in those international games unless he competes and fight in the ring.  — DING WENCESLAO JR., Chairman, Philippine Jaycee Senate Advocacy Committee