Letter to the President

 

Dear Mr. President,

  As a student and as a simple fellow Filipino, we have many aspirations on the kind of administration that you will be leading in the next six years. With your new administration coming into office, you inherited numerous pressing issues to be addressed and while the promise of a corruption-free country is appealing, we hope that it does not remain a promise. 

  We acknowledge the merits of the policies and projects initiated by the former administration and on how it has positively impacted the current political, economic, industrial, social services delivery status of the country. However, there were also lapses made that should be given rightful attention by your administration. In line with this, these are the things that we humbly ask that you give priority in your administration. 

  The long-standing issue of poverty is one of the major challenges of the country. The widening of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) through the DSWD would aide in giving the poor and disadvantaged direct access to education, health services, and opportunities for capacity building. 

  The agricultural sector, which employs almost majority of the poor population, must be given the right attention. Investments and infrastructures are needed to support the sector. Furthermore, we are looking forward to an administration that will provide a revitalized social security program, one that ensures the decrease and eventual demise of rampant poverty across sectors. 

  We also ask you to deviate from the metro-centric view of governance. Needless to say, Metro Manila slowly became the dominant center of political power, of wealth, and of commerce. With that in mind, it is suffice to say that this dominance led to a fast pace urbanization in the region; thus, leading to the great urban density in the metropolis. Consequently, the challenge in the country's public transportation became a pressing national issue. We urge your administration to address heavy traffic and congestion that persist not only in Metro Manila but in other regions and capital districts as well. The issue with traffic also includes the delayed deployment and procurement of goods and services. As a result, our economy has greatly suffered. 

  As nation's youth, we are hoping for an administration that believes in local talent and ability. A government that ensures the development of the country's youth by creating avenues for youth participation in nation building. Also, we need a government that will give priority to research and development centers as well as institutes of technology.

  Your name is now associated to someone who will bring peace and order in the country through an iron fist; however, we hope that your iron fist must remain within the boundaries of the law. We recognize the clamor of the mass for justice to be given, for a peaceful country - without crime and fear. We are pushing forward for an administration that will strengthen the justice system in the country and will uphold due process of the law. 

  Moreover, we ask for the speedy justice delivery for the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre, the killings of the Lumad, and the Kidapawan shooting. 

  In the 17th Congress, we are hoping for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law for the long-lasting peace in Mindanao, the Anti-Discrimination Bill that seeks to penalize discriminatory practices on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill to assert the Constitutional provisions limiting political families' monopoly of power, and the Freedom of Information Bill to uphold transparency and accountability in the government.

  Lastly, we envision an effective coordination between the central government and the LGUs in disaster management especially for typhoons and other forms of calamities. We ask for a prepared administration in dealing with these kinds of situations.

  By all means bounded by law, we are one with you in your aim for a better Philippines.