Out of the many sociological problems that the land of the Pearl of the Orient Seas is facing these days, I think poverty is the worst of it all. This is the primary reason why our country could not compete globally when it comes to this component. The face of poverty in the Philippines can be seen to those of the little children who are weak, emaciated, half-starved and naked who are all sprouting in the streets and begging, where for that I am obviously aware of the relationship that brought about poverty and starvation in the Filipino population. I am heart broken and distressed to see these children roaming in the wilderness where they are exposed to the horrors and that they have no idea whatsoever lies before them. I could not imagine myself being in their shoes like sleeping on the streets, walking and begging for money or food under the scorching heat of the sun and be a victim of the different horrors in the world. Because of these events, it has also cause the increase of criminal records where juveniles are arrested for rape, robbery, carnapping and so on.
All of these are directly related to some other sociological and economic issues especially underdevelopment. Having said that, I reckon that definitely Philippines can't attain the same stature that we have during the Marcos regime. As far as my readings are concerned, Philippines during the 70's was quite flourishing. It would have been better if such a regime was continued up to now. During those days, Philippines was quite at par with some other developed countries and in fact it has been the number one amongst South East Asian countries and more likely in the whole of Asia. However, if former President Marcos administration was not marred of authoritarian corruption, things would have been dynamic and continuous even up to now. We would have a different path and we could have been of the same stature as that of other developed countries not only in Asia but to the rest of the world.
Poverty couldn't be an issue at all if said system of the late Marcos Administration have prospered up to now. But this is reality, poverty still remains as the central development issue in the Philippines. Over the years, our country failed to cope up and was not able to sustain the economic growth which is needed to reduce poverty to acceptable levels. It is saddening because corruption has never ceased to exist instead it has pullulate ever since time immemorial. We have always advocated democracy where there is equal representation of the masses by our chosen representatives to represent the true interests of their constituents through an election. These true interests have not been operative for these representatives, most of them have been blinded by corruption. And the sad part is that most of them are drawn to enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of the Filipinos that they are deemed to represent. These sociological problems are already increasing in alarming levels, I for one have been into organizations helping these kids to suffice themselves in eating three times a week and have attended a feeding program within the law fraternity & sorority that I belong to. I hope that the representatives will do something about this when in the first place they have labeled themselves as public servants. Where art thou?
