Kahirapan at Potensyal (March 6, 2015)

Cartoon by Reymark Banania

     Two tension-filled words come to mind whenever I roam around Manito -- poverty and potential. I have seen most of Luzon from the Ilocos/Cagayan regions and the Cordillera mountains down to Sorsogon.  I also had a few short trips to the Visayas, Mindanao and our Southeast Asian neighbors. There is no doubt in my mind that the 4th class municipality of Manito is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.

Kahirapan at Potensyal -- ang tila dalawang nag-uumpugang bato sa Manito.

     What we are endowed with  are enough to make the  municipality tremendously proud and prosperous.  Some places have been earning and providing comfort for their residents yet they don't have half of what Manito has to offer.
     Manito is teeming with ecological and agricultural tourism potentials. But what seems to be elusively missing? How can we accelerate a sustainable growth that will drastically reduce poverty and bring progress and better lives for all of Manito's residents?
     To the local government's credit, Manito already has some basic infrastructure such as concrete roads and a community college. But how can the government further reach out, lead, and be responsive to our needs?
    We believe that this is Manito's time.  It is not tomorrow nor is it in the next 10 years or so.  This is why we have mustered the courage of putting up one of the few municipal newspapers in the country.
     Coinciding with our Philippine Constitution’s express provisions for the people’s freedom of speech, expression and of the press, we believe that Manito fits the conditions posted on a website why small far-flung communities need a newspaper in this internet age.

1.   People need to know what they are entitled to receive and what they are obligated to give.  The public needs information and an avenue to voice out opinions, thoughts and preferences. Public opinion and events should guide our community towards comprehensive, cohesive and sustainable plans and actions.

Kailangan ng publiko ng impormasyon at boses.

2.  All sectors need to promote projects and programs. The government must communicate. The people must know what is brewing and what has come out of the municipal halls or from national agencies.

3.  In all progressive countries around the globe, progress follows when businesses grow. Businesses provide jobs. Businesses create value and wealth.  The jobs and wealth created by businesses in turn fuels the government through taxes and regulatory fees. Manito's Time seeks to spur business by giving an avenue for local businesses, from the smallest seller of swine to larger establishments such as stores.

Dumarating ang pag-unlad kapag ang mga negosyo ay lumalago.

4.   Finally, people need to know what is happening in their own communities.  Television, radio, internet and print media abound in the province of Albay but they don't cover Manito's people who are at the far end of a 40+ kilometer road from the nearest city.

... Ipagmalaki ang mga tagumpay ng mga tao sa bayan... tagumpay ng ating mga anak, ng ating mga magulang... pag-usapan ang mga dapat mabago...

     People in Manito need an avenue where we can celebrate the accomplishments of our sons and daughters, our fathers and our mothers.  We need an avenue where we can celebrate achievements in local sports, education, business, agriculture, etc. We need an avenue that can promote all sectors -- the Senior Citizens, the religious sector, common interest clubs and associations.

Pag-unlad na mag-aangat ng kalagayan ng lahat... Pag-unlad na hindi nakakapinsala sa iba at sa ating likas-yaman.

     To help accelerate Manito's sustainable socio-economic progress through relevant and responsible communication. That is our mission. Actively seeking, delivering and hosting truth that can set us free from poverty and into a prosperous, and God-fearing life for everyone.  May you be one with us as we are one with your dreams and aspirations.

     This is our time!  This is Manito's Time!