“Philippine issues”

It used to be that flags were flown in houses and cars for Independence Day. No longer. There were hardly any flag sellers at street corners. I wonder why. Is it because the government did not publicize the program and preparations?

With 3 years of the Aquino administration finished, people are feeling no independence or freedom from so many problems. Among them we still have:

1. The NPA problem: Recently the NPA rebels killed 9 SAF policemen in Allacapan, Cagayan. Encounters were recorded in Compostela Valley, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Sur, and Negros Occidental.

2. The Abu Sayyaf problem: The Abu Sayyaf rebels killed 8 marines in Patikul, Sulu. Not too long ago, they killed 11 marines in Basilan.

3. The illegal drug problem: POEA reports 1,700,000 drug users. Drug dealers operate openly all over the country.

4. The airport problem: The NAIA 3 is not fully operational, NAIA 1 has ceilings falling down. There is congestion of flights resulting in so many delays. MIAA is still downgraded to Category 2. Scanners and X-rays in domestic airports are out of order. There is lack of chairs in airport waiting rooms. The airconditioning systems are not working.

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5. LTO has no car plates to issue for more than a year now. Also plastic driver license cards are also not available.

6. The Mindanao power crisis is unresolved with 8-hour long brownouts happening in 17 Mindanao provinces. The repairs of Agus 1 and Palangui 2 hydroelectric power plants are delayed.

7. There are 11.1 million unemployed Filipinos according to SWS.

8. There are still shortages of classrooms, teachers, desks and textbooks.

9. Electricity rates keep going up. The Philippines has the 2nd highest electricity charges in Asia.

10. Water rates are high too with Maynilad and Manila Water asking for an 8% and 5% increase again.

11. No less than President Aquino has complained against the bad traffic situation. There are so many traffic accidents resulting in 2,000 deaths.

12. Jueteng is still in full swing. The plan to abolish STL has not been implemented.

13. Illegal logging is continuing. There is no reforestation program ongoing.

14. Dredging of Laguna de Bay has not started.

15. The HIV/AIDS problem is increasing.

16. Bigtime smuggling is going on. Rice, sugar, cars, drugs, even garlic and onions are being brought in through several ports.

17. Business organizations are calling for a stop to corruption, government flip-flopping, and bureaucratic red tape.

18. The Hacienda Luisita distribution of land to tenants has not been accomplished.

19. The PPP projects have not taken off.

20. Agricultural growth is still at a low 3.3%. 5,000 hectares of corn farms dried up in Isabela.

CBCP president, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu urged President Aquino to reveal “the true state of the nation.” –Ernesto M. Maceda (The Philippine Star)