OFWs - Our Modern Heroes

By Presidential edict, President DU30 has ordered all private and public cemeteries closed starting October 29 to November 4 in his desire to prevent the spread of the dreaded coronavirus. In fact even as of today municipalities and cities within Metro Manila are still in General Community Quarintine (GCQ) status for the same purpose. If my memory serves me right, this is the first time in the history of our country that Filipinos and other christians will be celebrating All Souls and All Saints days in quarantine. In the past, these two holidays were celebrated in a festive mood with most of us partaking in food and drinks at the mausoleum of our departed loved ones. Be that as it may, we have to abide by the edict for after all health is wealth as they say.

As we write this column, there are tv and other broadcast media reports that the President has ordered the creation of a new department to be known as Department of Overseas Filipinos. To this writer, this is a welcome decision as it would facilitate the concerns of all overseas Filipino workers who after all are of great service to the economy of our country through their dollar remittances. As some observers say, they are our modern heroes and heroines. Under this new set up, the present POEA will just be an attached agency of the new department. Thus there will be no lay-off of employees while at the same time their experience and expertise can be tapped.

With the reported corrupt-ridden Philhealth it would seem that President DU30’s desire for a corrupt-free administration will be put to naught. We feel that it is high time to let heads roll by the DOJ’s filing of cases in court against these erring officials soon and fast. This writer could not really blame Senator Dick Gordon’s disgust over the alleged non-payment of billions of pesos owing the Red Cross.

On the local scene, as we brace for the reported approach of tropical depression “Rolly”, we could not but appreciate the endeavours of the past administration of then Mayor John Bongat in concentrating his efforts in seeing to it the Naga City’s drainage system is in order. We have noted this by the absence of flooding in any part of the city during the last typhoon “Quinta”.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“TRUTH NEVER DAMAGES A CAUSE THAT IS JUST.” MAHATMA GANDI

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“DO NOT GIVE IN TO SADNESS, TORMENT NOT YOURSELF WITH BROODING. GLADNESS OF HEART IS THE VERY LIFE OF MAN, CHEERFULNESS PROLONGS HIS DAYS.” SIRACH 30:21