YLP

Attended this Young Leaders’ Program at Camp Aguinaldo last Thursday to represent my boss.

Below’s my semi-extemporaneous reaction to the speeches of you-will-know-who.

I wrote it down while they were speaking.

Tan-tan-ti-nin!!!

***

Good afternoon everyone. The young leaders of the country and our distinguished speakers: Hon. Domingo Panganiban, Dr. William Padolina, Atty. Geronimo Sy and Commissioner Raul Dominic Badilla.

It is an honor to stand here before you today to represent my boss, Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal. I feel that I have not reached the stature to, in a more technical and detailed manner, comment, much less critique, the development strategies enunciated by our speakers. Nonetheless, I shall, as a citizen, former student leader, civil servant and enthusiast of development concerns, endeavor to share my humble view on the development agenda being undertaken by the government.

I just came from Japan last year, after finishing my Masters in Policy Science. I beg to differ to Atty. Sy as I shall utilize comparison to situate our state, where we were 60 years ago and where we have been hanging for so many years.

In the 1940s Japan and the Philippines were at par, our country was actually in a better state and in a more potent capacity to rise from the ravages of war than Japan. What with the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only two places on the face of the earth that was devastated by the bomba atomika.

Now Japan has ascended to such standing as being the second biggest economy in the world, next to the United States. How so? The Japanese people studied well, they went to the US and Europe to copy the latest technologies then and brought what these technologies back to Japan. They did a little innovation, reproduced the “new technology” and sold these to the various countries. Thereafter, Japan brandishes as among, if not the most technologically advanced country in the world.

China after 1949 until the 80s and Vietnam after the war, were at the bottom in terms of progress. But now, these two countries are among the most promising emerging economies in Asia, joining India.

Cambodia and Laos are also among the destination of business investors and might even surpass Philippine economy if we don’t shape up.

Malaysia and Thailand, of course, used to be within our circle but has now gained more economic ground.

My point, dear friends is we have a lot of catching up to do. We won’t argue here about talent and resources. We have them. We have sufficient skills and natural resource. We might be lacking with funds but we could be more innovative than perennially borrowing from lending institutions. Or if that can’t be helped, then use the money wisely. Or, at the very least, use the borrowed funds for its intended purpose. Thirty to fifty percent of public funds going to the pockets of unscrupulous figures is a gross iniquity we should not tolerate.

The speakers before me highlighted the development agenda that we have been following. I think they are good. That is if what’s written on the paper is implemented.

But then again, if we don’t consider the country’s interests before our own, until we strengthen bureaucracy and insulate policy from politics, no development will ever happen in our beloved land.

***

Impressive.

No, no, this is not narcissism.

I meant one of the reactors was from the National Youth Commission, the former Executive Director. He was extraordinary.

He was articulate though lacking in confidence when speaking before an audience. He did not capture and hold the attention of the crowd for the entire duration of his speech. It was very obvious (to me) how he lost composure in the middle of his speech.

The big BUT is, he managed to regain his standing when turn came to answer questions.

The delegates threw all sorts of loaded, controversial and to some extent, accusatory questions. But he “absconded” them all, so to say. Outstanding! It was very evident in his response how sincere he was in performing his duties.

He was in the seminary for eight years until he realized he could serve the Lord more being a lay person.

Na-inspire ako sa kanyang dedikasyon sa serbisyo at sa kanyang hindi-matinag na pananalig. Hindi niya kinailangang mag-hugas kamay. Hindi rin nagkanulo sa kasama. Matatag na tumanggap ng puna. At mukhang mabait at madaling lapitan. Salamin ng kasigasigan. Siguro maituturing na karangalang makatrabaho siya. Mahusay!

How this country needs men like him in government service!