So there goes another year! Whew!
For those of us who’s busy with our lives going about recovering from the after effects of the pandemic, its been almost a year now! We should have many to thank for. It could be our health, our families and loved ones, and most of all, the fact that we could still wake up one day, breath God’s ‘free’ air and most of all, enjoy the blessing of just living one more day on earth. That is already a bonus.
The pandemic decimated a lot of economies worldwide. Not just businesses suffered by the general flow of life has been altered, much less disrupted. Consider this – a vast majority of OFW’s have reconsidered their investments back home and instead of splurging gears and gadgets, people are now seeing the value of buying properties, developing hitherto untapped farmlands and so on.
For those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, some are exploiting and exploring unknown talents and skills that would have otherwise remain hidden had the pandemic never occurred.
For those of us who are lucky enough to keep our jobs, thank GOD, we are still able to sustain people around us, and maybe pursue some hobbies to keep our minds and spirits sane.
Those on the margins of the society who are left unattended by the burgeoning expense on local governments, the post pandemic recovery remain long and arduous. Losing income due to the closure of major establishments, perhaps our farmers and housewives find it hard to sustain the increased demand for basic commodities. Yet the economic engine continue to turn and cranking at full speed. Even though beyond their control and generally a factor of supply and demand equation, outputs of farmers remain a challenge in this part of the globe.
For 2023, our AAB and AAS program will have to undergo a major reset. Rest in the sense that the goals may need to be realigned considering that the pandemic has brought about so much uncertainty in the world. Reset in the sense that the parameters how we measure success is no longer the same as the time we conceptualized this long term program.
I am inspired by this LGU leader up north who has single handidly uplifted the lives of his constituents simply by great governance, an honest to goodness leadership and malasakit service. In just 9 years, Mayor Guillen has almost put an end to the Poverty index from 20% down to 5% in his town of Piddig. If he can do it, why not the rest, one may ask. Or in the context of our movement, if he can do it, why can’t we tap on the lessons of their program and become a key player in the quest for upliftment of lives among the marginalized.
We dont have their budget, yet. We dont have their resources, yes. We may not even the have same clout. But in focusing on the right skill and livelihood programs to complement what LGU’s are mandated to do, we can accelerate the development of the LINAPEW barangay.
Onward to 2023 and beyond!!!
AAB and AAS 