Manila Bulletin

Win-win solution through dialogue

- By FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD

AFTER the two-day jeepney strike that paralyzed the country and, no doubt, cost a huge amount of losses — what now? Did the transport paralysis bear a positive fruit?

** * In a conflict situation, there are three typical approaches: fight, flight,or dialogue.

In the first approach, one of the two parties unleashing a combative position refuses to give way.

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“Flight” on the other hand, is a form of avoidance where one says: “Yes, I see the problem but I can’t do anything.” He refuses to face the problem; hence the problem will remain unsolved.

** * The ideal course to take is to transcend the fight or flight approaches and engages in a DIALOGUE.

In dialogue, two parties sit down and avoid a contentiou­s attitude for the purpose of clearing the air about their sentiments, fears, apprehensi­ons.

** * They make possible courses of action which may entail some compromise­s and adjustment­s. Instead of maintainin­g a rigid position, they exert efforts to come out with a consensus or a win-win-solution.

** * In the case of the jeepney strike, applying the dialogue approach, the jeepney drivers/operators associatio­n heads and representa­tives as well as the government counterpar­ts should have sat down and come up with solutions agreeable to both parties.

** * Is that hard to do? No, if both parties have the sincerity, goodwill and, if I made add, cool-heads. Dialogue can solve all our national and personal problems.

However, if there’s no sincerity, opennes, and goodwill, that’s not dialogue but as someone put it: “Daya na, lugi pa!” ** * INDIGENT SICK. You will not bring your wealth with you to the next life. Why don’t you leave some behind to the poor and less fortunate.

** * I am appealing on behalf of some indigent sick we are helping like a cancer patient, Stage 3, Dante Cabansag and Fr. Ruben Mamuad who are undergoing hemodialys­is thrice weekly, and others afflicted with asthma and TB.

GOD BLESS — the following charitable people who responded to my appeal: WILLY-LINA ONG, HELENDEO CHU, ALFRED-CAROL LAO, GERRY “MR. FREEZE” SANTOS.

Others who wish to help may e-mail me at: belsvd@gmail.com.

** * ST. JUDE. Got a serious problem with money, studies, sickness or family relationsh­ip? Pray to St. Jude, known as the Saint of the Impossible.

** *

Today join our novena to St. Jude, Saint of the Impossible, at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. Mass.

A healing prayer and anointing of the sick will follow.

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