As our final exam in SCL3, we are tasked by our professor to choose at 3 options. One is to make a personal integrated reflection based on the topics we’ve discussed in our subject. Next would be to write a critique on one church document we tackled. And last, to prepare a proposal plan based on SCL to bring about social economic change in the Philippines.I’m not taking down notes in class so the first option would not be good for me. The second would be a less of a burden but it’s not my thing. The latter was more fit for me so I decided to do my paper entitled “A Proposal for Social and Economic Reform” and it goes like this:

The Philippines is one of the predominantly catholic nations in Asia other than East Timor. It boasts diversity not just in ecology but in culture as well. A hundred different dialects are present in this country due to its archipelagic landscape. Filipinos are known around the world for their hospitality and resiliency. But what makes this country move backwards instead of forward?

After its liberation from the Spaniards and colonization of the Americans, the Philippines turned from being a quite Spanish colony into an advance industrial and agricultural nation worthy of international respect. Products made in the Philippines is esteemed of high quality. This country pioneered the development of infrastructure in the region with the construction of transportation, research and cultural centers. Relation with its neighbors has been progressive with its involvement in foreign aids in major conflicts and catastrophes. The morale of the people is never been this high after being slaves to their colonial masters. However, the challenges that faced this glorious nation at the turn of the century have made not just a halt, but a full stop to this country’s development.

Is it really Filipino first?

It’s a fact in the United States that if you’re a farmer, you must be well off. But in the Philippines, it’s the other way around. Farmers here are deprived of the lands they till. They serve landlords which in most cases hold public office. Oftentimes, their efforts only benefit those in power and they don’t have enough to feed their starving families. Their children could not go to school due to lack of money and face hard labor at a very young age. Some of their relatives seek better life in the city but most of them fail because of illiteracy. The laws in Congress that aims to give the lands to the farmers are still pending because those that swore to represent the people are the ones who own these huge sums of land that are not worthy of their possession. Even those in the executive body are charged of conspiring with armed groups to put down union leaders who seek fair distribution of these lands. What future does this country have with a system like this?

Still, there are some who tried and never lost hope in giving their families a better future. They built cooperatives in which they could help set up livelihood for their communities and be more productive. But how long would it last? The government’s efforts in boosting these projects are not so much of a help. The Philippines still imports larger than what it exports so as to killing the local industry. The government is still tied to trade agreements with other countries that are not fair to the part of the Filipinos. How long would this kind of situation last that the government, instead of pushing the people’s welfare, is putting the nation’s future in a doubtful condition?

Prolonging the agony

The war in Mindanao has long been a problem. Feud between Muslim separatists and Army troops has already claimed a thousand innocent lives. The Philippine south is depressed of the development it needs because of the fighting. Many parts of the island still lack electricity and potable water supply. Tourism, though a boom in some parts of Mindanao, is still uncertain due to abductions of foreigners and even locals in the provinces of Zamboanga, Sulu and Basilan. Poverty is prevalent that some at the latter parts cross borders with Malaysia in trying to find a better life.

With these, why do the government still continue to lengthen this struggle? Why do brothers have to fight each other? Does the government benefit from every centavos allotted for firearms and ammunitions? Is this another form of corruption? Why not negotiate for genuine peace and not settle for another ceasefire?

The Manifesto of the people

The presidential election is getting nearer before our very eyes. Politicians are gearing up by destroying roads that are still good and using the money allotted for the reconstruction to fund their campaign this coming election. The people have become apathetic to what seem a never ending loop of deceit and corruption. Filipinos feel they were betrayed by the leaders they thought would bring change to their lives, leaders that only come as leaders when the ballot is at stake. Some has taken harsh measures by insurgence and spreading the ideology that could never be realized. A Utopia of equality that does not respect the natural order of things that each and every one of us is unique and requires different things to live. This initiative made use of an arms race and fed on the anger of the people in the rural areas withdrawn of development. The people who join this cause blame the oligopoly that has ruled the country.

However, this should not be a blame game. Rerum Novarum, which was created on the advent of the Marxist propaganda, already had the answers to this. Private ownership is a natural way of nourishing our needs. It is not an idea made and professed by man but is present in the natural world as well. But as we humans possess a mind that ceased bridges, skyscrapers and brought a man on the moon, we are also given the responsibility to care about others in need. Conscience perhaps would be the best word to describe this, a conscience that would tell something if it is right or wrong, just and fair, responsible capitalism, not just pure capitalism.

Why wait for 2010?

Next year, the fate of the Philippines will be decided, if this backward civilization will move forward once and for all. Nevertheless, why wait for next year? If we only try to think about it, every day we are given the chance to choose, to vote. To think about how we can productive for the day ahead. A simple gesture of doing what you think is right and will benefit not just yourself but other people more importantly. With that, why do we have to wait for next year?

This is a great time to live. Not that we are facing a moral and social degradation in this country and facing a global setback on climate, but because God gave us these problems because he knows we can solve it. The solution is in our hands. We just got to have the courage to live another day and say, I will change things from now on. Never say it’s too difficult rather, it’s challenging.