Peace

I think that the present Philippine government administration should remain in office. This is just a personal opinion. I've been working on the Central Visayas economic statistics for the past three years and results look good. I would not want any change in government administration at this point.

Our economy is doing well... not just the Visayas but the whole country. In 2007, the Philippines ranked as the 25th largest economy by the International Monetary Fund according to purchasing power parity. It is the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, posting a real GDP growth rate of 7.3% in the year 2007, its fastest pace in three decades and has been compared to the economy of India in its sudden and rapid growth.

With these glowing economic figures, why would any sane person want things to change?

OK, so progress has been slow in reaching the grassroots, that doesn't mean that government economic fundamentals are weak. Hey, guys, our country isn't just the problem of people at the top. Everyone has to pick up their butts and work to uplift our lives.

I admit I'm not a big fan of militant groups, especially militant religious and student groups. To me, what they do is counter productive and destructive.

I'd rather support those that help build houses for the poor (Gawad Kalinga), environmentalists who plant trees and protect marine resources (Save the Earth), businessmen who teach entrepreneurship (GO Negosyo), LGUs who assist countryside entrepreneurs (One Town, One Product), NGOs who work for better business practices and help in facilitating business registration and licensing to lessen corruption in government (National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center). These are more productive than staging rallies in the streets. We need more of these productive people to better our country.

Yes, I agree that everyone has a right to their opinion on matters pertaining to how things run in government. But I do hope they'll use more of their energy to do productive things.

"People Power" should be used for something positive. Let's not get carried by our emotions or by fiery street orators. Why not use our brains to think of how best to improve the lives of our people instead of using it to think of the next political move. Use our hands to build things instead of destroy. Talk of philanthropy, not coup d 'etat.

Let's give peace a chance.