Submitted by Vox Bikol on
I WANT TO WRITE ABOUT a couple of things, about some thoughts that have been following me or have been nagging me to say something about them.
The first woe that comes to my mind is about the useless pedestrian lanes in Naga city. I do not know whether some motorists in Naga city have any idea about the function of a pedestrian lane. Let us take for example the pedestrian lane in front of the Archbishop's residence. Every time I have to cross the pedestrian lane, I find myself running for fear of being hit by speeding motorcycles, tricycles and cars. In Europe, a car stops at the pedestrian lane even if there is only one person who is crossing the lane. However, some motorists in Naga city accelerate when they see pedestrians crossing the lanes. I am just wondering what the local government can do about pedestrian lanes. What is interesting is that the pedestrian lane in front of the Cathedral is very close to a police outpost.
Last summer I had the opportunity to visit remote parishes during the mission work of Caceres seminarians. I could not help lament over the conditions of the road going to Siruma, Tabgon and some sections of the road going to Tamban. It was a hell of a ride. I could only hope that in the future some companies could make tires that could flatten protruding stones and harden muddy clay soil. If there is a new meaning that could be given to a road rage it could be this-take your car to Siruma or Tabgon and you would end up angry because the trip could take you more than an hour or you could get stuck in the mud for hours. I was able to talk to barrio folks and I could sense their resignation before the fact that these roads reported as finished projects have remained unfinished since then until now. I hope something could be done about these roads.
I was talking to somebody about the brazenness of the majority of the members of the lower house to pass a bill allowing a Con-Ass. I felt so sick looking at these lawmakers who have only their own selfish concerns more than the more pressing needs of our country today. Somebody was actually telling me about a comment made by a writer who said that the person who poured water on Mr. Hayden Kho could have done a lot of good to the country if he had poured gasoline instead of water and set the whole room on fire. He could have been made a national hero. I find this comment too much. But behind this comment is a brewing anger of many Filipinos who are quietly suffering due to the lamentable state of our political leadership. "Transform the Senate into a Bowling Alley" - is another suggestion that though it may sound preposterous is hilariously indicative of a growing sentiment of people with regard to some Senators, who have not made any difference in the lives of our people except for the pails of saliva gathered after a series of senate hearings and privilege speeches that have not made any impact on the lives of Filipinos; but who are nonetheless entertained by the penchant of the Senate to find controversial issues that provide media mileage and satisfy personal curiosity more than the essential and fundamental issues that merit attention and immediate action.
There is a need for all Filipinos to come together in prayer and beg the Lord to give light that can dispel the darkness that looms over our beloved country. May God help us and banish from our midst all forces of evil that destroy our hope for a better country, for a better future.