Many government programs are being ignored by us, the citizens.
Like the Solid Waste Management statute that has not been completely enforced down the line and complied to by local government units.
A cursory look at the state of our barangays will readily confirm this.
Look how Boracay, considered one of the best tourist destinations in the world, has been completely disheveled and destroyed because of business greed and plain shrewdness of colluding government officials, investors and those who are materially profiting from it.
From the looks of it, we can conclude that Filipinos generally are ignorant of how important it is to take care of our surroundings, the environment where we live in.
The closure of Boracay and its rehabilitation have been largely due to a presidential directive which indicate that without any real push from higher authorities, the rape and exploitation of many of our tourist attractions, Boracay included, will go unabated.
Basic social hygiene and sanitation have been taught us in our elementary grades many years ago that clean surroundings redound to good health and long life.
Dengue and other infectious diseases that were heretofore unknown have descended like the Pharaoh’s plague of ancient times because we have basically thrown away the fundamentals of health and sanitation.
Our environment is always associated with how we live our lives.
Which logically means that loving the environment is loving ourselves.
Allow me to cite a health situation profile published in the WHO (Philippines) Counter Cooperation Strategy in relation to our topic.
It said: “The Philippines has made significant investments and advances in health in recent years. Rapid economic growth and strong capacity have contributed to Filipinos living longer and healthier. However, not all the benefits of this growth have reached the most vulnerable groups and the health system remains fragmented.”
It praised the “increasing health insurance coverage that has grown to 92% of the population, citing improved maternal and child health services with more children living beyond infancy and more being attended by professional service provider than ever before.”
The same health situation profile also added: “Many people lack sufficient knowledge to make informed decision about their own health. Rapid economic development, urbanization, escalating climate change and widening exposures to diseases and pathogens in an increasingly global world increase the risks associated with diseases, environmental threats and emerging and re-emerging infections.” (Emphasis mine.)
Don’t the above findings substantiate the title of this column?
Our environment determines our way of life. Therefore, if the citizens desire to live healthy and disease-free lives, it becomes incumbent upon them to maintain a clean, disease and pollution-free environment.
I am reminded of the poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare, considered the greatest English language author, who wrote the famous lines in Hamlet’s soliloquy: “To be or not to be, that is the question.”
Let this not lead us to debate or argue about the tragedy that is befalling our environment.
Instead, let us initiate environmental clean-ups, plant more trees, stop illegal logging and prevent degradation, teach the children of this age and era that they will be the subsequent inheritors of the legacy their elders will leave.
Then and only then can we redeem and love ourselves. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Heb.4:2: “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.
