I DO not think I am the only one surprised that we have suddenly become an upper-middle-income country. As they say, glad to know. Except that most individuals in this country will be in disbelief from current and past experience. But then we take it as a collective designation that has little to do with the citizens that are part of it. It is a government designation.
So, if it belongs more to the government than its citizens, the government is in the crosshairs to prove it deserves it. And here is what we expect of that proof:
What precisely is its vision for the next decade, the next century, the next generation? The Department of Economic Planning and Development (formerly National Economic and Development Authority, or NEDA) is supposed to coordinate integrated social and economic policies, plans, programs and functions as a government independent agency. To most of the public, these are virtually unknown. This agency should publicize them and tell us what they are. This is the vision part of governance which we need to know about so that we can judge whether they are fulfilling what they envision. It only means that they must make their vision and the concrete plans to attain it public. Usually, this agency seems to keep it to itself or to share it only to some government agencies.
Next is education, the proper and the standard liberal arts way. All citizens must have access to quality education that allows them to be human beings, not robots trained for jobs. When art, music, history, literature and tradition are removed in favor of banal or quotidian subjects that merely aim for jobs, the distinct and creative quality of thinking by a human being is shut down. In this intellectual clime, if you can call it that, there will be no creativity, no innovation, no aspiration for the higher life of artists, visionary public officials, humanitarian ideals.
Adequate and quality government services for all, particularly those who need it most. This goes beyond ayuda to complete and quality services. Everyday amenities like decent, widely available and affordable public transportation. And while there is transportation, there are also pedestrians, bikers who are part of the mobility need. They should be given their share of attention to allow them to be equal to anyone in need of mobility.
Crucially, available public health care, decent housing and retirement ease should also be what governance gives its citizens for the taxes that it gets from the public.
Another vital part of governance is a functioning justice system that protects all, treats everyone equally before the law, defends society by imposing the rule of law to whoever or wherever it is required.
Agriculture should be given maximum attention and have all its needs met for the good of all, particularly in terms of food security, where we are failing badly which in turn brings food prices up, which in turn drives other prices up. Then the cost of living becomes a burden on the public which cuts down income for it.
Our natural environment should be valued, protected and given utmost priority. It cannot be downgraded for so-called progress which is not progress when the destruction of nature is the price. One notes our loss of open spaces, greenery, the lack of parks and public spaces in our urban areas. These deficiencies impact against living a fully human life every day. We have a responsibility to ourselves which government should lead in but does not. It gives away public assets like trees, public land, waterways even, in the name of progress to private public projects led by oligarchic predators who cash in and leave them in ruins. Government itself takes over public spaces that should remain thus to erect buildings, acting as a landlord when it is supposed to be a guardian. It is time to get out of this mentality that is so inappropriate and so destructive. Private capital has to be for public good even if it is for private profit. Government is not an owner but a guardian of national assets.
These are the problems we are saddled with and if there is no will to change, no vision to come to a better, higher, more satisfactory way of living, no enlightened and humanitarian governance, upper-middle-income or First World status in the real sense of being for all citizens, not some citizens only, will never make it here.
We need vision and determination, which so far means we need better leaders.
