Socialist RP

            “Iniisip at pinaplano pa lamang nila ay nagawa ko na sa Makati,” thus clears the didactic maxim of then Mayor and Vice Presidential Aspirant now His Excellency Veep Elect  Jejomar Binay and future President. And qualifying “Sa Makati, lahat halos ng pangangailanganan ay libre – gamut, hospital, eskuwela, computer,  movie and other entertainment  passes for senior citizens, roses and cakes for newlyweds to burial expenses of its people.”  In sum, full  enjoyment from all basic necessities of life specifically food, clothing and shelter. And as the TV Ad further continues, “sana’y ganoon  sa buong bansa!” Sana nga. The best TV Ad thus far articulated with all sincerity and honesty endeared him to all Pinoy viewers as it addressed the very core of their existence – bread and butter -  returning to him their compliment with resounding yes gauging from overwhelming mandate catapulting him into Vice Presidential office. Well said but what now Vice President Jojo Binay. What do you say?

            We have to increase the revenue of our respective municipalities first as precondition for the realization of that ambitious but  highly probable State of Socialist RP dream.  Or the vision would simply die its natural death remaining  a dream in TV Ad concocted in papers only,  he emphasized in succeeding  interview by Ted Failon after his victory. Feasible. Yes and why not. But not when you compare the status of first class and highly urbanized Makati where their City Hall alone,  twenty eight story building tall with all amenities can afford subsidizing its population’s need compared to an Internal Revenue Allotment subsisting municipalities with negligible income yet accruing from poor  tax collection and capital gain tax. He even hinted that he might be  holding  his office there in the event there would be an impasse between Noynoy and him over the choice  of contentious Arlegui Mansion as they were both bent in exorcizing evil driving out inhabiting this hall.

What more when you go to some depressed municipalities in many localities as in Lanao del Sur  where there are unfinished municipal hall buildings. Why and where have all the taxpayers money gone. It’s because of the feudal system existing and people don’t just given damn participating leaving to their masters  in running in the affairs of their government. Controlling and almost taking all of the resources by concerned local executives and down to barangay government  leaving even no mechanism for check and balances until new set of elected officers continue the vicious cycle of building their own municipal halls after each term. That explains the sorry state of many municipalities in the country affecting the people in their respective  barangays.

There ensued the problem. From  Jojo Binay’s perception,  socialized or collective  way of addressing the peoples’ concern  is simply doable. But that’s precisely the problem. Makati is Makati probably because its residents from different barangays are merely waiting  its windfall trickling in. Iyan ang sa Makati, Jejomar actually really clarified, a smack right on the faces of many Chief Executives in the local offices because of their inability in providing basic social services because of  the lack of resources. Unless the system is already in place with resources free-flowing from revenue collection sustaining like lifeblood securing the basic services for the people, there could only one Makati. Where then to draw the line?

Back to basics, to the barangay itself where the real action is. The  barangay is where our home is. As Manny Valduesa, National Convenor of Gising Barangay Movement says, it is considered a small republic complete with three seat of power from legislative, judiciary and administrative with Barangay Captain as Chairman. When all its resources are tapped it will be more than enough addressing the basic services for its people. With clearcut Barangay Development Plan collectively formulated with utmost participation of its people increasing its revenue not just relying on national government’s IRA, everything is simply possible.  Iyan ang tunay na Makati. Go back to it if you lost your way because where your heart is, there’s our happiness also.

 I know some countries carrying the load  and enjoying the burden of its people providing them all amenities and handsome salary and benefits  among its employees to boot. Taiwan for instance answer its people needs from head to foot through association. Similarly, oil rich countries of Middle East dish out regular share of allowance  to its people from the profits derived from   oil.  The rest just to maximize its basic services, tie up with other rich municipalities abroad through sisterhood pact.

Ergo, socialist RP? Yes but only in Makati unless you revolutionize the system starting from its base, the barangay,  all the way up carrying  the load  of its people. Yes we can. They could for that’s what they were voted for in office.