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Castillo, Romel Joshua Ozaeta Performance Task in CAT 1

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Quarter
LS304 August 9,
2014
Solidarity and Awareness: Just What This Country Needs
War now exists on the streets of Metro Manila as its mayors and the Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority (MMDA) decided to not implement the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Boards (LTFRB) memorandum that allows the passage of out of
line buses and for hire trucks still bearing private green plates. Motorists are now confused on
which policy they are going to abide in. Such small matters may escalate into difficult situations
if left unresolved. In my opinion, this issue only goes to show two serious problems in the
country that need to be addressed. First, it reveals that the Philippines has a divided government.
Second, it also unveils that our countrys citizens are indifferent to what is really happening.
These two must be addressed if the Philippines is to advance forward.
A divided government will only mean an unproductive government. In the issue, we can
see that there is an enmity between two of its agencies. On one corner, we have the MMDA
backed by the mayors of Metro Manila. On the other corner stands the LTFRB. Personally, I side
with the former since what they say is true: allowing out of line buses and private-plated trucks
for hire will just further congest the already snail-paced roads of Metro Manila, especially
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). I do not believe the LTFRBs reason that allowing such
vehicles to freely roam Metro Manila will give their operators and drivers enough time to
register for a legitimate franchise. They can still apply for legitimate franchises while they are
not allowed to travel. I think that allowing them to roam freely will not give them any reason
anymore to get a proper franchise. They can skip the application process since they are allowed
to travel even without the required documents. Moreover, it goes against the common belief that
vehicles with faulty franchises and licenses should not be allowed to travel. I agree with the
MMDA and the mayors of Metro Manila, for what they make of the issue is true: that these
illegitimate vehicles will only cause more traffic and accidents if left to roam. Opinion aside,
these agencies must reach an agreement because the public is also jeopardized. There will be
confusion on who to follow as each of them claims they are the right one. I believe that no matter
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how right one of them may be, they should still discuss the issue until they reach an agreement
instead of going against each other after only one instance of dialogue. Though they have
disputes, they must set their differences aside for the betterment of the whole community.
More serious than the former is the issues implication of the indifference of much of the
citizenry to the situation. Only those concerned like motorists will be concerned of the conflict
between the two sides. Other citizens, like the youth, mostly do not care whatever the result of
the dispute will be. Since they believe that they are unaffected by it, they do not take an active
part in its resolution. I for one, see everything in the society as interconnected. Everything is not
without the other. A problem in one part of society affect all of the other parts. Because of this, it
is only fitting and imperative that we, the youth take action to solve the problem, but in order for
us to address it, we must be aware first of the different problems of society. I would want to
know what the issue is before formulating a solution for it. We all must take part in running the
country. We are not called Filipinos because of nothing.
The issue showed me two important things that if left unchecked, would lead to the
downfall of our good nation. The government should stop bickering among themselves and start
working with each other for the common good. The citizen should take an active part in directing
the countrys progress. Both of these ideas are embodied in our constitution. I would take this
seriously and strive for a better Philippines, for in the first place, I am a Filipino. Though I
cannot act alone, I will strive to rally my peers for us to have a voice. Together with my fellow
youth, I will campaign for solidarity and awareness by being an example to others. Being a
student, I would move to study hard in order for me to be useful to the motherland when I come
of age. Through this, other youth can follow suit, thus blessing the country with a new generation
of citizens and leaders who work together for the betterment of everyone. We were the ones who
through the aid of Almighty God established this wonderful nation. We should also be the ones
who will protect her and lead her to progress.