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I saw the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
on Raymond Arroyo’s Saturday a.m. EWTN program. Archbishop
Celestino Migliore looks to me like Vittorio de Sica when the actor
was young (40 or so).
Raymond Arroyo and he were talking about the
forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict to the USA. The Pope will
apparently stay with the Archbishop in his Manhattan residence.
Archbishop Migliore gave an address on Friday
April 4 to the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly as part of
the debate about “Recognizing the Achievements, Addressing the
Challenges and Getting Back on Track to Achieve the MDGs [the
Millennium Development Goals] by 2015.”
Reading the Vatican diplomat’s address made me
feel, as a Filipino, alluded to.
MDGs set in 2000
The MDGs were agreed on in 2000. Heads of state
and governments of the rich countries vowed to help get the goals
achieved. Those from poor countries vowed to do something about
their countries’ own problems and, with help from the rich
nations, work zealously to achieve the goals by 2015.
The Holy See’s representative reminded the UN
delegates that today, “At halfway point, while much has been done
towards achieving the goals, abject poverty, hunger, illiteracy and
lack of even the most basic healthcare are still rampant, indeed
worsening in some regions. Tackling these challenges that continue
to afflict hundreds of millions remains, therefore, at the very
center of our concerns.”
Yes, indeed. The Palace often congratulates
itself for being on the right track. And sometimes its
self-assessment is affirmed by the outside world. An American
government supported corporation decides whether a developing
country has been doing its work well and therefore deserves more aid
and loans. Last week it affirmed that the Philippines is on the
right track and will get the loans.
Corruption-reform laggard
But it ruins my day—because it’s true—when
the World Bank or the IMF or the ADB and bodies in Hong Kong and
Singapore and Europe say the Philippines—meaning of course Malacañang—is
not doing its job very well in the fight against poverty and
corruption.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore continued:
“Authoritative studies tell us that in spite of the remarkable
economic growth in many developing countries, the overall goal of
reducing hunger and poverty has remained elusive.”
How true about the Philippines. Of course, thank
God, we’re better off, poverty-wise, than a lot of countries in
Africa—and Timor L’este.
Fair trade more decisive
“My delegation believes that greater
international solidarity is necessary if we are to succeed in
narrowing the ever-increasing gap between rich and poor countries
and between individuals within countries. While international aid is
important, a fairer international trade environment—including
addressing market-distorting practices which disadvantage weaker
economies - is even more decisive. In this regard, the importance of
the upcoming Doha Review Conference cannot be stressed enough. The
combined efforts to meet the 0.7 percent of ODA and to review trade
and financing mechanisms on the one hand, and to end bad governance
and internecine conflicts in recipient States on the other, will go
a long way in lifting millions out of extreme poverty and hunger,”
the Holy See’s representation continued.
How it cheered me to read those words. Somebody
other than us Filipinos who are questioning the promises of
globalization and liberalization and free trade apparently
understands our pain.
Yes, direct “international aid is
important.” But fair trade “is indeed even more decisive.”
Solidarity
What sense of solidarity with their fellow
Filipinos did those in power have in their hearts when they decided
to adopt the economic policy to abandon our rural people to fend for
themselves? How about those Filipinos who are partners of the
smugglers of produce?
“My delegation wishes to assure that the Holy
See remains actively engaged in alleviating poverty and hunger,
which are an offense against human dignity. It will not cease to
highlight these basic needs, so that they remain at the center of
international attention and are addressed as a matter of social
justice,” Archbishop Migliore said.
How can we make those who are rich and
powerful—and until now have not done their bit to help—realize
that to let people around them suffer poverty and hunger is an
offense against human dignity? And, in Catholic morals, a sin of
omission?
May the rice crisis awaken the sense of
solidarity—and sin—in Filipinos who have allowed the
agricultural sector to decline—and our rural folk to suffer
poverty.
FIELDS is deliverance
May the President and her economic managers make
the promise of their FIELDS programs come true.
May they no longer forget that resuscitating the
farm sector, making our farmers and their families less poor, will
immediately bring the Gross National Product a few notches up and
impress the outside world with the Arroyo administration’s ability
to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
If Mrs. Arroyo keeps the promises she made
last Friday at Clark, many of her foes will relent. And many of
those who cannot abide her because they think she cheated in 2004
and has no legitimacy, will learn to accept her. FIELDS will be her
deliverance.
rq_bas@yahoo.com
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