What will December Bring?

The year is about to end and Christmas is around the corner. Two realities we have to face. And we think: how has this year been and what will be my Christmas like?

Oil prices are rising. Inflation is setting in. The fiscal “crisis”, now a fiscal “problem” is still with us. New taxes are about to be imposed on cigarettes and other “sin” items. Power rates are on the rise, and so are our water bills.

The situation is so serious that the national government has seen it fit to go on a “food for work” and “food for school” program to bring poverty alleviation efforts down to where they should be – the poor.

World events are compounding our problems. In the country, recent crimes have shown how some people have become impatient and have gone to drastic measures to survive.

It’s going to be a tough December for most Filipinos, no doubt. Thus, the challenge is how to cope and move on.

With the national development plan in place, and the regional development plans soon to be completed, we have blueprints for coping and moving on. But the plan is about the future. The problem is now and the Christmas we want to enjoy.

This December? As I said, it’s going to be tough. For the poor – just making it to 2005 is blessing enough.