by Donald Sevilla
FOR JULY 30, 2023
SONA(SHOW NA) VS SOPA(SHOW PA)
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the
abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide
enough for those who have too little.”
– Franklin D.Roosevelt
A report of things that have been and of things that will be. This
highlights the contrast between two leaders’ style of leadership
and governance. A year into their offices, our people have eagerly
awaited fulfillment of expectations hatched from well-publicized
election campaign promises. Some may have been realized but a
bulk of them remains to be addressed and met.
Good governance and leadership are not inherited but earned
through hard work and dedication. While many of our leaders are
scions of prominent political clans, it does not follow that they
themselves automatically become good leaders at best.
Much is yet to be proven and achieved. They must be able to
stand on their own and not keep relying on their ancestors’ past
glories and good will. Sons are different from their fathers and so
are fathers from their sons.
This is the great challenge facing offsprings with great shoes to fill
or clouds of doubt and suspicion to overcome. Yet to be fair to
everyone, we should not be judged by the sins of our fathers nor
they of us.
As individuals we must carve our own destinies and rely on our
own resources and ability to deliver the goods. Given a mandate
to serve, entrusted by the people, one must work hard to the best
he could. For public office is a public trust and it would be a great
injustice to disappoint the people who put so much faith in you.
Having gone through the pandemic, we must realize that our
economy is still slowly recovering from its ill-effects. Yet, looking
back, we must give credit to those who managed to get us
through the most difficult of times. With our political bickering and
positioning for power, it was the worst time to be a leader.
While it is true that covid may have made or unmade leaderships,
it offered new entrants a fresh start. Given these circumstances,
the gains and accomplishments or mistakes of the past lay the
foundations for the present administrations to take over.
Yet, its success or failure depends largely on how our present
leaders do their jobs. One cannot move forward if you constantly
look backwards to point fingers at whom to lay blame.
While in politics perception matters to bring about a look-good
and feel-good aura to a leadership, it only creates a superficial
mantra that can easily be pierced when people start clamoring for
concrete accomplishments to make their lives better.
The national leadership may be off to a good start with the
appointment of competent technocrats not politicians to key
positions in government that boosted investor confidence in our
financial systems as shown by the rosy figures and targets
achieved in our economic growth. For us to survive in the global
economy foreign investor confidence is key.
The continuance of the infrastructure “Build, build, build” with the
“Build Better More” strategy and strong agricultural support by
furnishing modern machinery and the adaptation of digital
platforms to boost production show a commitment to back words
with actions and to create the backbone to help our economy
surge into the future.
While BBM”s leadership is low key in contrast to the high profile
presence of past leaders in both mainstream and social media,
can we say the same of our local leaders? While actions speak
louder than words what have we seen thus far?
The keypoints in the State of the Province’s address highlight the
commitment to an anti-corruption advocacy and hopes for better
opportunities with promised entries of businesses in the retail and
tourism sectors to cite a few. But do we see movement on the
ground?
Apart from the usual infra funded out of GAA and other yearly
appropriations from our budget that come regularly with or without
hard work, do we see much coming?
The daily state of affairs in our markets and groceries tell tall tales
and leave much to be desired. Yet we remain hopeful as always.
But what is sad is the seeming callousness and indifference of our
local leaders to our people’s plight.
What can we say of the purchase of brand new vehicles
prioritized over the needs of people wanting food and other basic
necessities? We should know that when we are not wallowing in
excess, a good father of a family ensures that financial
expenditures must be frugal and within means.
Our state of affairs reflects our mindsets as collective. When
society misplaces priorities and we adhere, we are eventually
bound to suffer. But hopeful as we are, we shall be looking
forward to the next report our leaders make a year from now.
By then it should be a report of facts and accomplishments of all
the things that have been done and not simply a wish list of how
things should be. Our leaders are known and judged by how they
have handled themselves towards achieving their mandate. And
they need to show us what they have done, now and not later.