Share the road

I for one support the Road Revolution Part 2 and all  road revolutions in the future because belatedly I saw and was convinced by the logic for this kind of  reform.  It took environment  lawyer Tony Oposa Jr. to open our eyes to the need for change.

Initially some people were critical  because closing the road to vehicles deprived them of the use of the road for their cars.  But Oposa countered by asking why does the government  give so much attention to car owners  who are so few  and why do they  dominate  our roads compared to millions  who go to work and school but  don’t  have vehicles?

Oposa’s  simple logic hit the spot. So it boils down to the movement’s  motto “Those who have less in cars should have more in roads.”

True enough the first Road Revolution last June 12 was a  success, exceeding expectations of government officials and the people.  I agree with the proposal for a Road Revolution  every Sunday to  give people the opportunity to enjoy their city without much pollution and traffic accidents.

The Road Revolution is  indeed a revolution because it is shifting the paradigm or mind-set of people to be  conscious of their rights and health.  It would be wonderful to see thousands of Cebuanos enjoying the streets with their families,  walking, running and promenading with other healthful activities.

I am thus encouraging  students in the University of San Carlos Political Science Department and  other departments to join the Road Revolution and organize activities for the youth to enjoy their rightful  use of the road.

Let’s  make it a Sunday habit to clear the streets for a Road R evolution.  Just think f the health benefits.

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I am  elated with the report in  the Inquirer about the big business  in buko juice for the US market. Coco water is the latest craze. Even Madonna has invested millions of dollars in a company that produces it.

President Aquino is  correct in saying that we Filipinos should take advantage of the trend and  cash in on the interest in buko juice that is sure to  perk up the economy.

It’s about time we are  careful not to waste  our resources in coconuts, which grow all over the country.  With its rising popularity in the US, we should  start planting coconuts in our farms  instead of abandoning  farms to seek  greener pasture in the city.  Local governments will  play a crucial role  in promoting coconut production.

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The Philippine Constitution is very clear that education should be prioritized by government.  Time and  again we’ve been told about the importance of education for all of us and for the future of the  country.

Today we see a government that does not share this passion of  educators and students. The government has dramatically cut the budget of state colleges and universities. Thousands of students went on the streets the other day to  protest the reduced budget for education although I know in the University of the Philippines, the privilege of a state-subsidized  schooling  has been abused.  This happens when  members of a  rich family secure their education in UP thus depriving a chance for  poor but deserving students to enroll.

If we  intend to raise the  quality of education to world standards we must  bankroll our educational system.  If not,  the expected will happen and Philippine schools will continue to fall  in survey rankings.