No matter what the newspapers and government say that the number of poor people is decreasing, the reality is we are poor. One doesn’t need to watch tv or read the dailies. Just look around. Even in areas where it’s supposed to be the better part of the city, the presence of poor people are becoming more visible.
Ortigas Avenue used to look high end. Now it’s becoming more and more disorderly. Dozens of jeeps are parked in the middle of the road, beggars are increasing, ambulant vendors who make me feel like I am the worst person in Metro Manila when I don’t buy their wares are becoming more aggressive. One time they shook my big van when I ignored their sales talks. There are now hundreds of parked motorcycles. The place has deteriorated and I know it would only worsen, not get better.
There are people sleeping underneath the iron overpass. I’ve seen boys inhaling rugby in the middle of the day under the EDSA-Ortigas flyover. And hey, I’ve seen policemen and MMDA officers there too. I am sure they’ve also seen the rugby boys.
Many parts of EDSA are beginning to look like Baclaran. Sidewalk vendors are beginning to encroach on the road.
Our less fortunate brothers also need a place to live, to do business, to park their jeeps, to pick up passengers. To earn a living. But there must be order. They must be guided and be given parameters. Clear guidelines so they don’t cross into other people’s rights too.
I also do not know what to do. How to help put order in our surroundings.
I just feel so sorry that we live like this. My husband said we’re too old to move to another country. And he likes it here.
I guess we all like it here that’s why we are here still. Whether we have a choice or we’re just stuck here. I just feel helpless seeing this kind of surroundings. I want my children, and the future generations to enjoy better living conditions. To live in a more orderly, peaceful, safe, and progressive society and community. That’s our right, all of us. As Filipinos. As humans.
I hope each one of us try to make our surroundings a little bit better. I appeal to all not to contribute to the chaos around us. How?
Simple things as a start:
If you are a government official or a politician, there are so many LITTLE THINGS you can do to serve. Things that don’t need PDAF. Look around you. Be observant. In your area of jurisdiction, can you pls fix naman a pothole, repaint naman a street sign and remove unnecessary road blocks and barricades for the safety of motorists. Yung mga overpass, kahit isang portion lang, pinturahan naman ng reflectorized paint. Mag-isip naman kayo ng pwede nyong maitulong ng TUTOO at TAPAT sa kapwa nyo. Huwag lang mga kulasisi ang pagka-abalahan.
For ordinary citizens like us, we can also do some things that don’t require too much effort or money.
1. Huwag magkalat. Kahit saan kayo narun, basta huwag kayong magkalat.
2. Huwag dumura sa kalye or kung saan saan. Magdala lagi ng tissue or panyolito. Ilang beses ba na nagkakantutulo ang mga uhog ninyo habang naka sakay kayo sa bus, tapos sa kotse ko tutulo. Sa amin babagsak ang mga ubo ninyo. Que barbaridad Que horror. Social graces ang tawag dyan. Hindi kailangan maging mayaman para matutuhan yan.
3. Huwag umihi kung saan-saan. At yung mga gumagamit naman ng toilet, kahit saang toilet- sa bahay ninyo, sa office, sa mall, sa restaurant, sa eroplano, sa school ninyo, ayusin ang paggamit. Yung naman mga may-ari ng toilet, linisin din ninyo, panatiliing maayos at malinis. Hindi mabantot.
Kayong mga babae: Huwag umapak sa unidoro, madulas pa kayo, naloko na. Ma shoot pa ang sandals at paa nyo, lalo ng bumaho ang paligid.
Yung mga lalaki, matuto namang mag-shoot ng weewee nyo dun sa unidoro. Hindi yung parang hose na kung saan saan tumitilansik ang weewee nyo.
4. Sigarilyo kayo ng sigarilyo, yung upos kung saan-saan nyo itinatapon.
Please naman, tanggalin ang ugali na walang pakialam kasi hindi naman inyo.
Ang tawag dyan, walang malasakit sa ibang tao, walang malasakit sa kapwa, walang pakialam sa mundo. Napaka selfish mo kung ganyang ang iyong ugali.
Hindi ka aasenso.
