Political Plan(t)s

An article from a recent issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer did not surprise me at all. It was regarding the “Green Philippine Highway Program” project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The reporter observed that the launching of the projects in different places was more like a political campaign. This is exactly what I thought when I saw a similar launching here in Negros Oriental on TV.

The project is a political gimmick. It’s not practical, it’s difficult to implement, and definitely there are many more important things the DENR should focus its attention on, such as the Guimaras Oil Spill. Planting trees a long the national highway that stretch 3,439 km. across the country is just a waste of time, money, and effort. Can’t they think of anything better? I’m really starting to believe that the GMA administration has really not one any good to our country.

Maybe there are indeed good intentions, and I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but I have serious doubts about the project. I believe there’s a bigger hidden (political) agenda here. What’s the real intention of the project? Mainly, it’s for exposure. Since the project covers major highways from north to south of the Philippines, I’m quite certain there will be billboards displaying the proponents and people behind the project, maybe even have a poster for every tree planted. I remember in 2004 when almost all electrical posts around Manila had banners with GMA’s image on it. Then there were those clean-up volunteers found along highways wearing vests with the letters GMA at the back. That is what they’re trying to do again. Think of it as an early electoral propaganda for people like Sec. Reyes.

It is quite possible that Sec. Reyes is planning to run for Senator next year. You should have seen him launching the project. As I mentioned already, it was like a political campaign. He even wore a vest like most politicians do during election period. He had this big program with a full-house audience that do not seem to care about the project. Even just in the way he talked, he was as smooth as the veteran politicians. And then he cracked jokes and even worse, sang a couple of songs. With regard to the project he was supposed to be launching, he did not really do a good job in elaborating its details. There was nothing concrete in what he said. Even when interviewed, he was vague and even seemed uncertain. In the end, he only spent a little time with the project and more time in politicking. And he did the same in all the places where the project was launched. Tsk tsk tsk… A very Gloria-esque way of doing stuff – spending our money for a disguised way of campaigning.