Problems with Progress

We, Filipinos, those of us who were born, grew up and spent most of our lives here, often infatuate with awe on the progress of developed nations – the skyscrapers, the efficient energy, the urban structures, the modern technology, the competent utilities, which we wish we have, that we would venture to foreign nations to experience them, or bring them here. But, what is progress, anyway? Progress may be defined as the process of moving toward a better, more advanced, or more developed state. Historically, humans tend to view progress through the evolution of our tools, knowledge, and living conditions. This may include Moving from manual labor to automation, or from local stone tools to global digital networks and space exploration, Finding cures for diseases, increasing global literacy, reducing extreme poverty, and extending the human lifespan.

So, we would understand when Filipinos want to build a community like BGC which looks and feels like Manhattan, New York, which is definitely a far cry from the slums across Metro Manila. Then, of course, it would also be understandable to replicate that structure in a dream and plan to build a global city right here in our province, in Pili. Definitely, a spiraling, Mt. Isarog-inspired, pili nut-shaped design with solar panels and an open-air atrium would compete with the Merlion Parkin Singapore or the Sydney Opera House. It would be even more magnificent with hotels and resorts, residential spaces, a hospital, a digital campus, a lifestyle hub and mall, and logistics and manufacturing facilities around it.

You know what’s even more progressive? When we combine it with renewable energy. Now, that’s progressive. We would appreciate the coming of renewable wind energy with windmills, almost 200 of them to be build 300 meters apart along the shores of Calabanga. I think, they’ll also build similar structures in Siruma, Cabusao and Sipocot; yes, covering San Miguel Bay. Those strong winds would blow the blades and convert them to electricity which would run to houses and businesses. This would mean cheaper electric bills. Then, we wouldn’t mind if Iran and US and Israel continue to beat each other up with bombs. We won’t need their oil that much anymore.

We got our own New York/BGC. We will have windmills like the Dutch. What else would progress bring us?

On the other hand, is it still progress when these “developments threaten (if they have not already done so) to turn upside down the living conditions of the simple folk that build the foundations of the society? Is it still progress when developments disrupt and displace farmers from agricultural land, and threaten fisherfolk from the sea, cutting the chain of supply of vendors to consumers? Allegations of forced eviction by the provincial government triggered protests from local landowners and farmers. Residents reported that land-clearing and fencing operations commenced prior to the disbursement of land compensation, the arrangement of alternative housing, or the acquisition of a judicial demolition order. Several towns over, fisherfolk groups have banded together over the looming perils of windmill construction along the shores of San Miguel Bay which would totally prevent them from going out to sea to catch fish for their livelihood for a whole two years while those structures with spinning blades are being constructed. Those two years won’t be a vacation. Those would be two years of no work, no supply of fish on one side of the market, crippling multiple families. What for? For a highly developed urban structure? For modern generation of renewable energy?

Progress is not just about building faster machines; it is also about building a more just world. Social progress is measured by how a society treats its people. Progress should expand human rights. Progress has been shown in The historical march toward abolishing slavery, granting women's suffrage, protecting civil rights, and recognizing the dignity of marginalized groups. It should move toward institutional fairness, global cooperation, and systemic equality.

For whom is progress? Is it not for the people of a particular place? Should it not be a process of moving the people toward a better, more advanced, or more developed state? But how could people advance and develop themselves when their livelihood which is their primary instrument to advance and develop themselves is being disrupted and threatened? Even the environment in which they advance and develop themselves is being disrupted or threatened. How and where then would they advance and develop themselves? So, is this progress at all?

Or is progress advancing and developing the place and not primarily the people? Now, that would be a violation of the very essence of progress.

Proverbs 4:18: "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."