18 best wishes for our country in 2018
As we leave 2017 behind, we certainly look forward to 2018, with much hopes and expectations.
The year 2018, starting February 16, according to Chinese astrology is the Year of the male earth dog. Google tells us that each zodiac year (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig), is not only associated with the particular animal sign but also of the five elements namely gold (metal), wood, water, fire, and earth. 2018, being the year of the male earth dog is expected to be a year of better communication, and unity among people. It is expected to be much better than the contentious fire rooster that was 2017. And the year 2018 is expected to be an auspicious time to do more reflection and contemplation and focus more on spirituality.
For these reasons, we are listing down 18 hopes for the incoming year. The first is that the peace talks should be resumed and ceasefire revived. We cannot fight another 50-year protracted war against the CPP-NPA. Too many lives have been wasted, it is time to conclude a lasting peace agreement. Second, it is time to stop all acts that may be termed as “summary executions” or “extra-judicial killings.” If it is not the government that perpetrates them, then the government should stop whoever is committing these forms of justice outside the ambit of law. Third, leaders should start to unite, rather than bicker. No more impeachment for non-impeachable offenses. Fourth, the PDP should stop raiding the opposition and turncoatism should be outlawed.
Fifth, the government should lower the poverty rate by addressing overpopulation and promoting industrialization and agricultural development. Sixth, the government should install federalism within 2018 and also include the Bangsamoro genuine autonomy, without compromising the integrity of the whole nation. Seventh, the government should be more determined in defending our national territory and stop China’s double-dealing tactics to fool us some more. Eighth, we should rationalize our foreign policies and stop this childish, person-oriented approach against the US and the EU and such double-talk with China. Ninth, prepare for a fair, and honest mid-term elections in 2019. PDP should avoid making a mockery of the polls.
Tenth, enhance our national disaster preparedness. Eleventh, we should stop sending domestic workers abroad. Our women should be deployed abroad only after empowering them with skills to become office, hotels, restaurant, and health workers. Our women are being abused, molested and even raped, killed and exploited in dirty, difficult, dangerous, degrading, and deceptive jobs. Twelfth, we should rationalize the contractualization issue. Thirteenth, we should focus on addressing the unemployment and underemployment problems. Fourteenth, we need to address the many abuses against our seafarers. Fifteenth, some government agencies should be abolished or merged. Sixteenth, the SSS and the GSIS should be merged. Seventeenth, there should be a new Department of Housing. Eighteenth, better and more qualified candidates, rather than popular ones, should run for the Senate.
Well, this is merely my wish list. Those who disagree with me are free to make their own list. Happy New Year to all!
‘Peace talks should be resumed and ceasefire
revived. We cannot fight another 50-year protracted war against
the CPP-NPA.’