What can we do to help make the Philippines a better place for ourselves and for our children?

Question

It is not only the government’s job to improve the future for our children.
It is the responsibility of every Filipino to create a better Philippines for the coming generations. All of us must think about how we can contribute.

Answer 1

Wow, this is like a chicken-and-egg question. My suggested answer is: SHORT-CIRCUIT THE CHICKEN-AND-EGG SITUATION.

We definitely need better leaders to set examples, implement laws correctly and justly, set the right environment for the proper growth of the populace (economic, political, etc.) That's the chicken.

Problem is, we also need an electorate that's better educated and motivated to put the right leaders in place. That's the egg.

Theoretically, without the right leadership, the environment will not be conducive to breeding healthy eggs. Corrupt leaders simply keep the environment contaminated by maintaining the masses' dependency on them through bribes and the patronage system; by taking advantage of regionalistic preferences (i.e., he may be a devil but he's OUR devil,,,and our devil will always take care of his own); through fear and intimidation, etc.

Because of this, the eggs, er, people, will always put into office the wrong kinds of leaders. And the right kinds of leaders will be disillusioned and opt out (e.g., the Monsods).

The process must be short-circuited by a force coming in from outside. This force would include business leaders, educators, and everyone else willing to contribute and actively participate in helping Philippine society.

The process of short-circuiting would involve (but would not be limited to) the following:

1) Subsidizing education for the children, to train, equip, and support capable teachers who would not only teach CORRECT skills (have you seen the essays and answers to simple questions submitted in many job interviews nowadays? these indicate how much our educational system has deteriorated, and has been simply a huge collective diploma mill for many years now), but also right and godly values.

2) Include ENTREPRENEURSHIP as a core subject in childrens' and youth's education. For so long, our educational system has trained children to aspire to be employees (a company prexy is still an employee). A successful entrepreneur who has right godly values will have more positive impact on society (not the least of which are providing income to more people, and imparting godly values to many through his or her godly example).

3) For the older people, setting up businesses and cooperatives in the provinces, and train the people in entrepreneurship. Hopefully, this would have two effects: (a) encourage the people to stay in the provinces and stop migration to the "dream" urban centers; and (b) teach them to fish, and not just feed them with fish for the day.

4) IMPORTANT: The training in entrepreneurship should not be just the old "Livelihood training programs" such as soap-making, candle-making, detergent manufacture, etc. These have been tried for years and found wanting, with very few exceptions. This is because the people who are trained in these livelihood skills all start producing soap, or processed meat, or candles, or whatever, all at the same time, and compete with each other and ultimately kill each other's businesses quickly (while the NGO's and mission organizations which conducted the livelihood programs feel self-satisfied with finishing their targeted programs for the year and send self-congratulatory reports to their foreign partners and supporters, complete with numbers and photos, to ask for money for more programs next year---while the people they have "trained", and who have killed each other's businesses, look for other "skills" and other NGO's from whom they can borrow capital again, to try again and again...). The help should include the provision of solid and actual marketing contacts, establishment of cooperatives, etc. Through cooperative ventures, the people band together instead of killing each other (one possible setup would be for certain persons or families to take care of the soap supplies, another of the processed food supplies, another of the garments supplies, etc). Through marketing contacts (if possible, marketing CONTRACTS), the people are enabled to actually sell the products or services which they have been trained to provide. A big problem with current livelihood trainings is that the beneficiaries have no contacts, means, training, or skill to properly and profitably market their products and services, and they all compete and kill each other selling within the same community.

5) For big business to altruistically share in the improvement of the community by providing marketing outlets and sharing their marketing infrastructure with the small entrepreneurs; setting up scholarship foundations for competent children from poor families; subsidizing hospitals, health centers, and drugstores for the poor (usually, small entrepreneurs are stopped dead in their tracks by illness in the family); setting up housing programs in the provinces and opening marketing and production ventures or small branches of their firms near these settlements. These need not lead to losses for big business. It should be possible to figure out population sizes which could be resettled in given areas and where business branches could be set up profitably which would provide marketing outlets and business and employment opportunities for the resettled people.

These are only a few suggestions. We could come up with many more possible ways to short-circuit the chicken-and-egg process of corrupt politicians always being elected and supported by a beholden electorate. The point is to achieve two important goals:
1) instill correct, godly values in the youth who will be our future leaders and electorate, and
2) break the hold that politicians have through the patronage system, which is made possible by the dehumanizing poverty of many of our countrymen.

Such actions would also neutralize the growing hostility and resentment felt by the poor towards the rich, and lead to a more stable and manageable environment in which it would be easier for the two sides to communicate with each other and appreciate one another's points of view.

Well, just a hurried and abbreviated answer to a very complicated question. I have barely scratched the surface and have many more ideas, but space and time are limited in a Yahoo! Answers context. We can talk further, if you want, through email or even personal conversation. I would certainly love to explore this question further, and join forces with others who want to do something solid and practical for our country.

Shalom!

Mel
http://360.yahoo.com/melcartera

Answer 2

I am a filipino and I had finally fpund out the problem. Remember that Spain once colonized the Philippines and the Filipinos are a little but undisciplined which one trait that we got from the Spaniards. Very demanding, Thats the second. All we need I think is discipline! Filipinos should learn how to follow the President!! We voted her as President so we must respect her!!! The Big Problem is the opposition.. They always find plans to make the administration look bad. One example is the ZTE scandal. JDV is totallly telling a lie because he admitted himself that he once used drugs and mariwana which is a proof that his brain cells are dead. If filipinos would learn how to love their own country then the Philippines would be a better place.. WELL... Actually the philippines isnt the worst place too you know. If China didnt colonize the Philippines then the Philippines wouldnt be poor. China took all the golds of the Philippines. They also destroyed some places of the Philippines. If they didnt do that then I totally think that Philippins would be as powerful as Japan today. Even the americans helped us during the war just to get rid of those chinese people.

Answer 3

The answer is very simple: One, invest more in education. Two, heighten the requirements for individuals wishing to run for Public Office. Three, protect the environment.

Education is THE most important aspect of an advanced and sophisticated civilization. Education brings about change in a society's behavior. Education promotes tolerance, respect and grace in terms of conversation and communication. If we can improve our educational system (one that diverts itself from the typical question-and-answer-slash-grading-system-crap), we would have a beautiful and sophisticated society.

For the second one, I think we all know why. In other countries, the requirements are strict. In other words, not any other "schmuck" can just run for Office with the blind belief that they know how to make a difference. You love helping people, you know the solution to the problem, you know how to make things better - SO WHAT? If you do not know how to run a country, why even bother running for Office? (Trivia: did you know that we have several Members of Congress and Senate who DO NOT EVEN KNOW basic Parliamentary Procedure when it comes to Committee Sessions? Shame.) Now, what will this mean? Get this: competent candidates mean a competent Government. And that's exactly what we need in order to face our problems - A COMPETENT GOVERNMENT.

For the third one, let me begin by saying that the Philippines has one of the most complex and highly beautiful environments and ecosystems on earth. And that's something we can all be proud of. So please, BE GREEN. Take care of our environment. Wouldn't it be great if our children's children would get the chance to see our beautiful environment undamaged?

Since the question is about making the country a better place, I believe the issue of politics (corruption, etc.) is really way out. We must always remember that everything starts from within. Like a former great American President once said, "It is not what your country can do for you. It is what you can do for your country." Do not blame the Government for everything. Instead, give the Government a chance and trust them. President Gloria pledged to the world that by 2020, the Philippines would be a First World Country. Can you believe her? Though hard, you should. You should believe that thought AND AT THE SAME TIME do your part as a Filipino - for our ourselves, our children and our children's children, forever.

Answer 4

I've always believed that everybody can make a difference -- even in our own small ways. I am aware that our country is becoming worse each passing day, and people are getting sick of hearing the same problems each year. I must admit that I am one of those who'd keep on blaming the government for all that is happening to our country. But at the end of the day, I realized that it is not only the government who should do all the work in making our country a better place to live in. At a very young age I've been exposed to underprivileged communities where I was tasked to teach the little kids on basic reading and counting skills. Not to brag or anything, I was able to finish my studies with a good record and got a job right away. I also volunteered in several NGOs wherein I had the opportunity to help save the environment and other marginalized communities. These are the things I was able to do so far which I consider to be my contribution to our society. Right now, as a teacher I still don't stop working on what I could do for our country by molding the minds of my young students.

Answer 5

1)If i were the president, I would start an Entrepreneurial Revolution. The only way people can earn more is to encourage everyone to build a business from scratch. Extend loans with no interest to the people just like what they do with micro lending institutions. If they dont pay up, then they pay for the interest. I have seen businessmen turn garbage into useful products like hollow blocks and housing materials. Why not teach this to all the barangays.

2)Second, I will build biodiesel plants like mushrooms all over the country. The Jatropha plant can grow in any soil and can survive in any climate. Anyone can grow this plant on any vacant lot or unused farmlot all over the country. This will be a great opportunity even for the masses to earn income.

3)Third, control the population. Lets not wait for our dwindling resources to be depleted. A law must be passed stating that Filipinos can only have a maximum of 4 kids. If you wish to have more, then present some proof that you can afford to do so.

4)Fourth, character is the key to all these. And you can only achieve that if you are spiritually mature. I'm not saying everyone be converted to a certain religion but understanding the word of God will truly change a person's life. That way we can be recognized as a real "christian" nation.

5) Decentralize the government. Empower the provinces into federal states. That is how America became a very wealthy nation. Its about time the people in the countryside should get a fair share of their income.

6) Lastly pls stop blaming the government or other people for your misfortunes. Be responsible for your own actions and start a life now. I know a guy who used to be a houseboy who educated himself and became a medical rep after a few years. Today he is now a very successful businessman with two buildings which he bought with his earnings. Don't you wish you could be like him?

I know all of these are easier said than done but everyone has to start somewhere and the sooner we do it, the better

Answer 6

Corruption runs so deep within the government, that the only solution would have to be a revolution, and a complete restructuring of the government. But no one will do this, because this would take a lot of work to rebuild everything. And the country would be susceptible to other right wing factions, so at this point, ourselves and our children will never see a better Philippines. Hypothetically we could all say that we could give more money to the poor, that we must all act in goodness and believe in ourselves, and through these actions it will produce a better society. But this is reality, such ideas will never work, because if they did our world would already be a paradise. Millions give to charity and millions more give aid to the poor, but yet our world is in no better shape than it was a hundred years ago. So what can we do? Here is what you do, don't ask yourself how you can make your country into a better one, ask yourself how you can make your life better. You are the number one priority, so live your life, and make it better. Have a family, be happy and be prosperous and if we all did this, instead of complaining what needs to be righted in our country, then you have created a better place for your children, for your life is now better.

Answer 7

The Philippines will be a better place if:

1. Politicians should stop thinking politics as "Business"
Government Corruption should stop and set a good
example to the next generation.

2. Filipinos Should strive harder to fullfill thier ambition.
They should not be contented that thet just take thier meals
three (3) times a day. Seek employment, stop gambling,
laziness and being addicted to alcohol.

3. Train the next generation to excell with english, maths
and sciences. These foundations will be the basis of
of having in demand talents and competitive professionals
in the field of research on science and technology.
Government should express and support our homegrown
inventors and provide if possible financial means to
make Filipinos achieve the old glorious days.

4. Avoid crab mentality, if the others can, why can't you?
Strive hard and do it your own clean way. The mentality
setting is that, one should be inspire to your fellow
countrymen instead of being envious.

5. Be a responsible voter, choose wisely the people to
manuever our government. Avoid voting for those non-
Idialisti, self-centered people with vested interest.
Obey your conscience, if someone does not deserve to
sit for a position. Better not to vote than to put a lesser evil
individual but in the end shows up to be a real Monster.

6. Lastly, Avoid overuse of the word "Democracy". It turns out
to be that the word has been an escapeboat for those who
seek recognition of thier idealism.
Think before you act, What is the consequence of those
action if it was imposed? Since achieving democracy after
the bloodless revolution all have become wannabes for
greatness (nagpapagalingan).

I think that was it...

Answer 8

We can't....the amount of work to right the situation of the Philippines economically, politically, and culturally would take an insane amount of time. Corruption runs so deep within the government, that the only solution would have to be a revolution, and a complete restructuring of the government. But no one will do this, because this would take a lot of work to rebuild everything. And the country would be susceptible to other right wing factions, so at this point, ourselves and our children will never see a better Philippines. Hypothetically we could all say that we could give more money to the poor, that we must all act in goodness and believe in ourselves, and through these actions it will produce a better society. But this is reality, such ideas will never work, because if they did our world would already be a paradise. Millions give to charity and millions more give aid to the poor, but yet our world is in no better shape than it was a hundred years ago. So what can we do? Here is what you do, don't ask yourself how you can make your country into a better one, ask yourself how you can make your life better. You are the number one priority, so live your life, and make it better. Have a family, be happy and be prosperous and if we all did this, instead of complaining what needs to be righted in our country, then you have created a better place for your children, for your life is now better.

Answer 9

It's all about supporting each other. The reason why our country isn't advancing is because we tend to compete with one another or we become very inconsiderate. The inconsideration of Filipinos can be seen in their treatment to our government. We all know that the government isn't doing that good. However, instead of helping the government, we are pulling them down until they can't do it anymore. Where's the solidarity there? They are still Filipinos and normal humans who need help right? Next, we tend to be very competitive in the sense that we just want to emerge as the best not knowing that through this competition, we are affecting others. Where's the concern? Another thing is we are too influenced by foreign countries. Whatever happened to Filipino first? The government can't even support an invention of a Filipino scientist because he is TOO much concerned about what the foreign companies reaction will be. Where is the love for our country and our countrymen?

I think this comes down to values, something we learned when we were still little. Something taught to us even before we attended school. We are too focused on thinking of complex solutions when the answers are really that simple. Well, it may not be that simple but if we look on things through these values then our country will be at peace. (^^,)

Answer 10

I'm an American and have lived here for over 4 years. This is my home and it can be much improved by considering a couple things. First: "Leave it better than you found it." Wherever you go, take your trash with you or put it in the proper receptacle. It hurts a little every time I see adults open food or drink items and casually throw the trash on the ground. It's worse when I watch their kids do the same thing because it means the cycle will continue. I get strange looks when I finish my C2 or snickers and put the trash in my bag to take it home and throw it away. I get even stranger looks when I pick up other peoples trash. If everyone picked up a candy wrapper or two that was not theirs, it would make a huge difference.

Kids are a blessing but the more kids you have does not mean the more blessed you are. That's a selfish and short sighted view of life here on earth. Raising kids requires dedication, patience, love and sacrifice. And oh yea, lots of money. If you consider yourself poor you should consider not having lots of kids. 4 is a lot of kids. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not having kids but instead, focusing on improving the well being of the millions of kids that are already here. Try and improve the future of some kids that are on the brink of disaster. You can't save everybody but you can definitely make a difference to some.

Answer 11

I am aware that our country is becoming worse each passing day, and people are getting sick of hearing the same problems each year. I must admit that I am one of those who'd keep on blaming the government for all that is happening to our country. But at the end of the day, I realized that it is not only the government who should do all the work in making our country a better place to live in. At a very young age I've been exposed to underprivileged communities where I was tasked to teach the little kids on basic reading and counting skills. Not to brag or anything, I was able to finish my studies with a good record and got a job right away. I also volunteered in several NGOs wherein I had the opportunity to help save the environment and other marginalized communities. These are the things I was able to do so far which I consider to be my contribution to our society. Right now, as a teacher I still don't stop working on what I could do for our country by molding the minds of my young students.