Enough
October 29, 2006 | 12:00am
Amajor broadsheet showed a photo of a smog-cloaked skyline a few days ago. The caption read, "WHAT PRESIDENT ARROYO SAW: At twilight, the skyline of Metro Manila as seen from the lush of the greens in Antipolo is shrouded with a thick layer of pollutants. Ms. Arroyo was playing golf over the weekend and she saw the smog rising. She was dismayed and called for a stricter enforcement of environmental laws." Below the photo was an article about the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) which Arroyo and former Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi signed on Sept. 9, which will make the Philippines Japan’s dumping ground for their toxic and hazardous wastes. This, so that our nurses and caregivers can work in Japan.
So, Ms. Arroyo makes us the world’s biggest toxic waste receptacle (not to mention the instant winner of the "World’s Stupidest Country" award) and then calls for "stricter enforcement of environmental laws" because her round of golf induced a mini-epiphany? It does not take a genius to see how flawed that is. If she signed the agreement, she must think she got a good deal. Have you been to hospitals lately? We need nurses. Instead of making every effort to keep our talented people at home, she trades them. Have you looked around lately? Does anyone think we need more toxic garbage? Are we finally angry or are we going back into a huddle to talk philosophically about the sorry state of things, return to our homes or offices and still not speak out?
We cannot even handle our own garbage. People do not know how to recycle properly and the government has not done much to ensure that it is done correctly and efficiently. I know of at least one company that claims they do it, but they just bury the stuff in the ground and call it a day. Why not? A "gift" here and there and they become invisible, especially if they have ties to the powers that be, evil as they are. Good companies that know their stuff and are willing to create a truly healthier environment are cast aside because they are not willing to take bribes or create dummy invoices so more unscrupulous people in government can steal our money. We are not able to take care of our own toxic waste because of lack of education and political will, plus the sharp claws of corruption, and now GMA has volunteered to take in more. So, who will answer this call for stricter enforcement of environmental laws?
There is no doubt we needed this call yesterday, 20 years ago even, but who is going to take heed if the president of our country has effectively traded our nurses and caregivers for toxic garbage? Yes, someone else’s trash is the price for the free and clear export of our precious nurses and caregivers. Why? So we can have the dollar flow mask the true state of the nation? That is just appalling. Companies pay a lot of money to have their toxic waste disposed of properly. There is clearly a lot more to this deal than meets the eye but we will never know. As usual, there will be no transparency. If by chance we stumble upon the truth, the usual evildoers will simply apply their dirty tricks because they know we will take it, the way we have every lie.
I did not think we could sink so low, but we have. This is not just her fault. It is ours, too. We slink back into our little cubbyholes and tell ourselves that by working hard, we are doing our share. By offering prayers for healing and unity, we are covered. By selflessly building so many houses for the poor, we are addressing the issues that matter.
It is fine to do all of the above, but it is not enough. Our problem is a problem of consciousness. We can only change our outer structures if we change ourselves. Yes, we can build houses for the poor but we also have to address the very issue of poverty and everything in our present structure that contributes to it. Does corruption ring a bell? Poor governance? All change begins with the recognition of truth. If we cannot see how important truth is, we will repeat the same patterns. We will keep voting for the same wolves in sheep’s clothing. And we have. Nothing will change until we learn to see the big picture and stand up for truth. Always.
In the meantime, our not-funny-anymore acquiescence and ridiculous martyrdom have become the ankle weights that have assisted Ms. Arroyo in her rapid descent towards the bowels of morality. Each time she does something horrible, we sigh and grumble but we let it happen. I know a lot of people who see clearly, rail against what they see, and then turn away or say, "There is no alternative," thereby creating the vessel for evil to incarnate. Our silence and apathy are her staunchest allies. We have allowed her to do the worst again and again.
A true leader would do what it takes to make sure that society comes into vibrant harmony and balance again in the economic, political and cultural spheres. A good leader will make it possible for nurses and caregivers and all kinds of Filipino talent to survive and thrive in their own country. A strong leader would solve the problem within and never, ever think that trading our people for toxic waste is an option. Ever. Unfortunately, thanks to our apathy, that is exactly the alternative we have chosen.
Part of doing our share is speaking out against evil. I know this is a lifestyle column and I have been criticized for writing about politics here (and talking about it in my church). But I take these things up here because I see beyond politics. This is about basic human rights. This is about the survival and development of our country – our home. For that, all material boundaries fall away. I write about these issues here because this is what I do. I do what I can when I can. My spiritual beliefs and practices are worth nothing if I cannot make them manifest in the widest sphere possible. We must all begin somewhere.
Last Sept. 9, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed an agreement that will turn our country into a toxic dumpsite, putting the health of every Filipino on the line for generations to come. The future of our country has been sold for another country’s toxic waste. Have we had enough yet?
Thank you for your letters. I can be reached at magisip@yahoo.com. Please log on to www.truthforce.info for true, good and hopeful news.
So, Ms. Arroyo makes us the world’s biggest toxic waste receptacle (not to mention the instant winner of the "World’s Stupidest Country" award) and then calls for "stricter enforcement of environmental laws" because her round of golf induced a mini-epiphany? It does not take a genius to see how flawed that is. If she signed the agreement, she must think she got a good deal. Have you been to hospitals lately? We need nurses. Instead of making every effort to keep our talented people at home, she trades them. Have you looked around lately? Does anyone think we need more toxic garbage? Are we finally angry or are we going back into a huddle to talk philosophically about the sorry state of things, return to our homes or offices and still not speak out?
We cannot even handle our own garbage. People do not know how to recycle properly and the government has not done much to ensure that it is done correctly and efficiently. I know of at least one company that claims they do it, but they just bury the stuff in the ground and call it a day. Why not? A "gift" here and there and they become invisible, especially if they have ties to the powers that be, evil as they are. Good companies that know their stuff and are willing to create a truly healthier environment are cast aside because they are not willing to take bribes or create dummy invoices so more unscrupulous people in government can steal our money. We are not able to take care of our own toxic waste because of lack of education and political will, plus the sharp claws of corruption, and now GMA has volunteered to take in more. So, who will answer this call for stricter enforcement of environmental laws?
There is no doubt we needed this call yesterday, 20 years ago even, but who is going to take heed if the president of our country has effectively traded our nurses and caregivers for toxic garbage? Yes, someone else’s trash is the price for the free and clear export of our precious nurses and caregivers. Why? So we can have the dollar flow mask the true state of the nation? That is just appalling. Companies pay a lot of money to have their toxic waste disposed of properly. There is clearly a lot more to this deal than meets the eye but we will never know. As usual, there will be no transparency. If by chance we stumble upon the truth, the usual evildoers will simply apply their dirty tricks because they know we will take it, the way we have every lie.
I did not think we could sink so low, but we have. This is not just her fault. It is ours, too. We slink back into our little cubbyholes and tell ourselves that by working hard, we are doing our share. By offering prayers for healing and unity, we are covered. By selflessly building so many houses for the poor, we are addressing the issues that matter.
It is fine to do all of the above, but it is not enough. Our problem is a problem of consciousness. We can only change our outer structures if we change ourselves. Yes, we can build houses for the poor but we also have to address the very issue of poverty and everything in our present structure that contributes to it. Does corruption ring a bell? Poor governance? All change begins with the recognition of truth. If we cannot see how important truth is, we will repeat the same patterns. We will keep voting for the same wolves in sheep’s clothing. And we have. Nothing will change until we learn to see the big picture and stand up for truth. Always.
In the meantime, our not-funny-anymore acquiescence and ridiculous martyrdom have become the ankle weights that have assisted Ms. Arroyo in her rapid descent towards the bowels of morality. Each time she does something horrible, we sigh and grumble but we let it happen. I know a lot of people who see clearly, rail against what they see, and then turn away or say, "There is no alternative," thereby creating the vessel for evil to incarnate. Our silence and apathy are her staunchest allies. We have allowed her to do the worst again and again.
A true leader would do what it takes to make sure that society comes into vibrant harmony and balance again in the economic, political and cultural spheres. A good leader will make it possible for nurses and caregivers and all kinds of Filipino talent to survive and thrive in their own country. A strong leader would solve the problem within and never, ever think that trading our people for toxic waste is an option. Ever. Unfortunately, thanks to our apathy, that is exactly the alternative we have chosen.
Part of doing our share is speaking out against evil. I know this is a lifestyle column and I have been criticized for writing about politics here (and talking about it in my church). But I take these things up here because I see beyond politics. This is about basic human rights. This is about the survival and development of our country – our home. For that, all material boundaries fall away. I write about these issues here because this is what I do. I do what I can when I can. My spiritual beliefs and practices are worth nothing if I cannot make them manifest in the widest sphere possible. We must all begin somewhere.
Last Sept. 9, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed an agreement that will turn our country into a toxic dumpsite, putting the health of every Filipino on the line for generations to come. The future of our country has been sold for another country’s toxic waste. Have we had enough yet?
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