BY: DONALD SEVILLA
OUR DAILY BURDENS
Putting food on the table may seem a rather mundane task, but in a competitive and struggling economy, it is far from easy.
In a country prone to natural disasters, ravaged by typhoons regularly, the gains of hard work may be gone in a jiffy.
Yet for the years that we have been regular victims of our disasters, it seems we are prepared no better. We may have spent billions in infrastructure to mitigate floods but still we experience flooding in our cities after a heavy downpour.
We need not look far but our own experience tells us so. The road leading to the Old Airport particularly the area near the corner of Lamdagan and San Jose streets is a testament to the challenges we face daily in our lives.
We could just imagine the anxiety felt by residents everytime dark, rain clouds hover above.
While we live we are always confronted by challenges that test our ability to survive. It is good that we have proven our resilience many times over and our indomitable human spirit has gotten us through the things that weigh us down.
We take pride in our province, our own little piece of paradise which over time has become less comfortable to live.
While we are surrounded by the sea that teem with fish, we can hardly afford it. The prices of basic staple in our markets are squeezing our wallets tighter, making us spend faster than we can earn.
Monopolies in commerce and trade make our lives harder as we grapple with the high cost of our groceries and monthly bills.
Altogether it does not paint a rosy picture but of a paradise lost to the downsides of tourism and poor management by leaders we entrusted to look after us.
Blinded by propaganda that obscured reality, we fell prey to the gullible promises of our politicians who bear no empathy.
So here we are, disillusioned but stubborn to admit our mistakes. While we wallow in poverty, our leaders live in luxury and comfort in their mansions while riding their fancy cars and big bikes. While ordinary folk struggle for their traditional Christmas Noche Buena, they hie off somewhere to party in style with their expensive jewelry and feast lavishly in opulence.
What a sad day for us when those who we entrusted to ease our burdens only add to it, leaving us no sympathy. Woe to you and me as we suffer our daily burdens alone.
Wake up Bohol! The yokes on our necks are getting heavier.
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