Media, both in print and television, and some experts have labeled the problems in the Philippines as rooted in the corruption and negligence of the government, no matter what the date is. Through generations of politicians and policy makers, we see the same problems time and time again, to the point that the ordinary Filipino scoffs at the topic in conversations and would instead give smile sheepish grins and would ask to talk about something else. That is where the rub is: Filipinos have become so used to the mistakes and misgivings of public leaders that they would rather depend on themselves to take their own slice of life. They have depended so much upon themselves, their families, friends and colleagues, to get food for the table, to send kids to school, to earn a career and to buy the necessities 21st century families need. Yet, I sit here thinking that this is still not a very strong philosophy to live by in Philippine society. A huge percentage of the population is still poor and is in dire need of basic necessities. Basically, everyone is both struggling and getting by with what they have with life. Never mind that the government is inefficient or that it’s various agencies can be seriously called "public institutions"; it seems more and more that big business and private individuals with vast resources are the ones running the country. Privatization and deregulation are the talk in administrative and economic circles, with corporate sponsorships and projects providing most of the services that the marginalized need, as well as non-government organizations and initiatives safeguarding the basic liberties of every man, woman and child. It is a bit disconcerting to think that some of these organizations have also become probes and 'watchdogs' on the government's decisions and activities. Scandals and chances to enrich one self abound in a society that has grown numb and paralyzed with the ideas of true democracy and proper administration.
The way politics and society have worked, from the ordinary laborer to the President, is that there tends to be no responsibility towards accountability. Good case examples do exist, however as already stated, the news is almost always 'bad news'. The laws of the land are well written, intelligent and if Filipinos implement and follow them to the letter, the country would become one of the most vibrant and developed nations in the world. Alas, years of bad habits and happy-go-lucky attitudes derail any hopes for such dreams to come true. There is no clear-cut solution to solving the roots of the "bad apples" that pepper the Philippines, no is their an all-in-one step to administer solutions for the myriad of minor cases of indiscipline, inefficiency and the really, the "I don't care anymore" syndrome. If people actually started to believe that they can do, something that they can contribute to a group effort to solve many of the problems plaguing the land, then that would be something. The work has already begun and must continue on its steady, yet dangerous course. Private groups and cooperatives provide basic services. The rich and wealthy, for all their extravagance and influence, do try to care at times by creating foundations and reaching out through their own ways. Corporations are digging themselves into the CSR (corporate social responsibility) paradigm, in that they not only produce for the sake of many, but they would now seek to replenish, sustain and empower their customers. But the youth have become the most influential driving force on the way towards living a better life. College organizations and administrations raise awareness in campuses and provide opportunities for students to step out and see what the real world really is. Church groups spread a brand of formation that is geared towards caring for the poor, while providing the usual activities to enrich the spirituality of its members. This is, I believe, the beauty of community organization; for those who have been wronged or who are appalled at the brutal schemes of bad influences and wrong decisions, then the ability to create groups that have a common purpose and a mission to institute changes and to inspire others, would be one of the greatest examples of the liberty and passion of the human spirit.
