Noche Buena had been a Filipino tradition for years. It is the celebration of the birth of Christ on the midnight of December 24 where families partake a feast of food on the table.
Amidst the inflation rate of 8.0 percent, the Department of Trade and Industry issues a statement that a family of five can celebrate noche buena with five hundred pesos, if the family would only look for bundles, meaning packed spaghetti or salad ingredients. Granted that it is possible, do families have extra P500?
While it is true that Christmas will pass even if we forego this tradition when the family has nothing to spend, families still have to eat their regular meal on Christmas as they do everyday. This is basic knowledge. Truth. Fact. And the amount of P500 for a family of five is hardly enough for three decent meals.
Resilience should not be seen as a trait that we are so proud of. It is about time that we aspire for the best service from those who chose to be public servants, both national and local.
The Filipino as a people is so kind and so patient to the point of just shrugging it off when they are dismayed with the services done by government officials. Let us instead be proactive citizens. Let us know what is due to us. Let us give a watchful eye and participate actively in governance.
Private citizens are not just followers. We have to be heard, not just once. Our voices have to be heard all the time. Speak up and let our grievances out.
Clamoring against Maharlika Wealth Fund, the public has won in opposing that the funds come from GSIS and SSS. But the revised one pushed through with the House of Representatives passing House Bill 6608.
Has the electorate been wrong in choosing their bets last election? That remains to be seen in the days to come. We can give them the benefit of the doubt and look out for the results as soon as we can.
As Christmas is not merely about spending a minimum amount for noche buena, it is also the best time to have our wishes, prayers, and hope.
Remember that we deserve a government that will help us augment our daily wages and salaries to beat the ballooning prices of basic commodities, while the best yet is to solve the problems on inflation.
Let this be our collective whispers on Christmas Eve: a government for the people in 2023 and in the years to come.