Battle of Development

 

Come year 2025 that is basically a preparation for year 2028. What are these years all about?

As we traverse the interprovincial route to central Mindanao and the roads go higher and higher by elevation it is important to mention the reason why go to the north where the central is shorter thru the south? It's the flooding and broken road connections in Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte. To climb in a bus high elevation is more enjoyable and safer than crossing the deeply-flooded route to the metropolitan controlled by a dynasty that is in a heated quarrel to another luzon-based dynasty.

paLASANG (Balik-Gubat) drive 3.0 has become more necessary and meaningful as we avoid the LPA-shearline triggered flooding in Mindanao these days.

We cannot just close our eyes and ears from the cries of nature. One cannot just ignore the seven-member family buried alive by a landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro.

We cannot ignore the crisis of nature anymore that affects humans' daily subsistence and survival.

The framework of development matters indeed.

As the dominant profit-driven economic paradigm continues to plunder nature by the agribusiness and petrochemical farming and mineral extraction to massively accumulate profit, climate disasters have become more intense and disastrous.

Development must be revisited by the citizens of what it means.

Development must uplift and enrich the quality of living not the elite among humans but substantially the lives of the poor and the balance of nature and biodiversity.

When paLASANG (Balik-Gubat) drive was accepted in the 22nd BAGAT Festival events, it was a manifesto of the goal to Sustainable Development.

The commitments of the Department of Agriculture thru the National Organic Agriculture Program to help and support boost the flagship campaign of Sibagat to be a regional center for Ecological Agriculture will surely generate employment and income for the local population improving the local economy too.

Democratically shaping and planning the local development guided by a framework that goes beyond counting money but indicators of health and sustainability is certain in its destination - a long-term goal and impactful to environment, food sufficiency and human development.

As mentioned by Sibagat Mayor Dr Thelma G. Lamanilao, "not only for the future but to uplift at the same time the lives of the people, the farmers."

Year 2024 is the prime time for politicians aspiring for the 2025 elections to get public attention. For National politicians, 2025 is a ground preparation for the 2028 Presidential elections.

Why talk development and elections? Because these politicians once elected decide and implement development frameworks that may harm or care for humanity and the environment.

Development can be blurry or confusing. As said by Vice Mayor Maria Liza Lamanilao Evangelista, "it depends on whose perspectives and lens. For her, Sustainable Sibagat is the intersection of Sibagatnons and ecological development."

For Bagat Notes , development must be Sustainable, Ecological and Empowering (SEE). A Development.thay you can feel and enjoy not for a day but sustainable and shall build the capacities of the peoples and communities - Sustainable, Ecological and Empowering Development (SEED)!

Photo: entry #1 from Alpha Kappa Rho during the 22nd Bagat Festival Gakit Parade. 

Source: Bagat Notes https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=772125631613671&set=pb.100064487238443.-2207520000