SONA 2008

Earlier this month I had attended the Corporate Social Responsibility Conference organized by the League of Corporate Foundations. My supervisor and I were invited as guests by one of the members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. Whether or not they accorded us the invitation to improve our relations on working on our current project I am thankful for having been there for even just the luncheon meeting on the first day of the event. I had gone back to the office that day knowing that the private sector’s involvement (specifically the big businesses) in social reform programs has greatly evolved and will continue to contribute significantly in improving the lives of the Filipino people. Familiar faces in the crowd as well as on stage. They are figures whose commitment to improving the social conditions of the country has left quite an impression on me even before attending the said event.

I had found myself sharing the same table with the head of marketing of one of the top real estate developers in the country. We met sometime during the first quarter of the year to explore the possibility of a partnership between his corporation and my office. While seated on my right was the vice-president for the Indonesian office of another popular international organization.

While registering I noticed a book by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) displayed on the registration desk. After browsing the contents and reading the review on the inside cover I felt it a must to acquire a copy of the book. With the youth as its target reader, the book’s collection of essays tell of 51 of the country’s prime movers in the private and government sectors whose passion in aiding the country serves as an inspiration and provides hope to everyone that if society acts and changes its mindset of leaving everything to the government, the nation would be in a much better state Through partnerships with other corporations, support for NGO programs/projects, initiation of corporate social responsibility programs, and for a few, the incorporation of such a thrust to the organization’s main objectives translates to good business.

Today, 28 July 2008, the President shall once again address the country through the State of the Nation. This will be her eighth SONA. Some have even provided a list of seven curses for her seven years of occupying the presidency. These curses are:

1. a country unable to feed its people
2. worsening poverty and increasing inequity
3. deteriorating basic social services
4. cancer of corruption
5. wanton abuse of presidential power
6. an illegitimate president
7. a nation robbed

As someone who works in government, who had worked in non-government agencies, and has been schooled in one of the country’s supposed “breeding grounds for activists” I have adopted a more reconciliatory approach in helping the country.

Yesterday, Peter and I were discussing inflation and how we think should be the country’s strategy in going about solving the problem. He had proposed that the country continue developing programs and policies that give more weight to the consideration of free trade / globalization. I on the other hand insisted on the protection of the lower classes in Philippine society and that government still is primarily obligated to ensure that the people live in a country with better social and economic conditions. Although, we may not have the same views of the problem we share the same end-goals.

My life hasn’t been devoid exactly of people worth emulating in terms of social justice. I have in fact been brought up by these people, which is why I’ve chosen to work in government because for me the most effective way to transform the structure is through the inside. But I must admit that pursuing such a passion of service is difficult to maintain when almost everyone around me do not share the same sentiments on social responsibility. I had bought the book looking for inspiration… more inspiration. And to feel that there’s more of us out there who still believe in the Filipino people. With the book, I found what I was looking for.