(no subject)
the akbayan partylist has invited me to become part of its pool of lawyer consultants. last week, i met with them and two of their community leaders regarding some foreclosure issues being faced by residents of las piñas, many of whom were relocated from squatter colonies. yesterday, i finally got to meet some of these folks, and i explained to them the consequences of the many notices they’ve been receiving of late. i said that they have an obligation to pay the monthly amortizations pursuant to legal and binding documents they signed many years ago. i was rather surprised at how i was able to reduce to the most simple terms the lugubrious language of the law. but despite my sterling efforts, my explanations were for naught. the residents kept skirting the issue of non-payment of their monthly contributions, and insisted instead on this belief that they were used, manipulated, deceived, and ultimately taken advantage of by the foundation which developed the land into a subdivision on which their houses now stand.
i cannot help but feel that these guys are absolute ingrates. yes, P1,000 a month may be a little steep for many filipinos, but i can’t quite understand what they’re trying to convey when they said they just can’t (or won’t) pay more than P700. but P1,000 isn’t too much when you think of the freedom from fear of demolition. due probably to their negligence, their fears have been resurrected in the form of foreclosure. i have this feeling that they were under the impression the homes were given to them absolutely free, with no further obligation but to live inside these simple square structures. they said they were surprised to discover that the houses would be taken from them after they’ve failed to pay their debts over a number of years. it was evident that they were still used to a dole out culture.
it is rather disconcerting to find that many of us filipinos are first, unwilling to break the cycle of poverty, and second, to blame the government for not giving us opportunities. this need to be spoonfed and babied should find no place in any kind of society, least of all ours. people should learn to work, and to work really hard in order to rise from the pits of poverty.
there are, of course, issues that go into the root of all these problems -- issues far too complex for my simpleton ways to understand and appreciate. i may just have said certain things which are the absolute opposite of akbayan’s advocacy. i am vaguely aware of some of these issues, but my views i draw from my own experience. i am still extremely poor, and i blame no one but myself for the rut that i am currently in. i expect no one to be more charitable to me than my friends who will volunteer to pay for my fare or for my dinner and not necessarily expect a quid pro quo.
i have been invited to speak before the entire community at las piñas to explain the issues surrounding the foreclosure of their homes. i expect it to be a long, circuitous discussion in which anything but the matter of responsibility will be taken up.
i cannot help but feel that these guys are absolute ingrates. yes, P1,000 a month may be a little steep for many filipinos, but i can’t quite understand what they’re trying to convey when they said they just can’t (or won’t) pay more than P700. but P1,000 isn’t too much when you think of the freedom from fear of demolition. due probably to their negligence, their fears have been resurrected in the form of foreclosure. i have this feeling that they were under the impression the homes were given to them absolutely free, with no further obligation but to live inside these simple square structures. they said they were surprised to discover that the houses would be taken from them after they’ve failed to pay their debts over a number of years. it was evident that they were still used to a dole out culture.
it is rather disconcerting to find that many of us filipinos are first, unwilling to break the cycle of poverty, and second, to blame the government for not giving us opportunities. this need to be spoonfed and babied should find no place in any kind of society, least of all ours. people should learn to work, and to work really hard in order to rise from the pits of poverty.
there are, of course, issues that go into the root of all these problems -- issues far too complex for my simpleton ways to understand and appreciate. i may just have said certain things which are the absolute opposite of akbayan’s advocacy. i am vaguely aware of some of these issues, but my views i draw from my own experience. i am still extremely poor, and i blame no one but myself for the rut that i am currently in. i expect no one to be more charitable to me than my friends who will volunteer to pay for my fare or for my dinner and not necessarily expect a quid pro quo.
i have been invited to speak before the entire community at las piñas to explain the issues surrounding the foreclosure of their homes. i expect it to be a long, circuitous discussion in which anything but the matter of responsibility will be taken up.