A whistle for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte

Recently President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte whistled at a female broadcast journalist, Mariz Umali of GMA 7, during a news conference. His action surprised many. Most expected a more mature behaviour from a leader.

Not to excuse his action, which I think was the least presidential; whistling almost always brings back memories of my childhood days. After a hard day’s work, my father would start whistling the same happy tune when he walked from the gate to the entrance of our home, and he would only stop when my sister and I ran into his arms searching for our gift. At times it would be a book, food or tools for the house. The gift would often be a basic need at home, school or church.

Tomorrow is Philippine Independence Day and my wish is for Duterte to whistle out to each and every Filipino—man, woman and child—as he ends each day during his term. The whistle would be a signal that his administration would have successfully provided for much-needed security, infrastructure, education, work and basic necessities for a better life.

Duterte and his Cabinet should only whistle if they are able to do their job. The Cabinet includes Salvador Panelo, Salvador Medialdea, Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr., Jesus Dureza, Jose Calida, Michael Dino, Hermogenes Esperon, Perfecto Yasay Jr., Arthur Tugade, Mark Villar, Fortunato de la Pe?a, Martin Gierran, Mike Sueno, Catalino Coy, Ronald de la Rosa, Vitaliano Aguirre, Leonor Briones, Jaime Morente, Nicanor Faeldon, Isidro Lape?a, Silvestre Bello III, Judy Taguiwalo, Benjamin Diokno, Alfonso Cusi, Carlos Dominguez III, Rafael Mariano, Ernesto Pernia and Ricardo Jalad

Duterte will be sworn in at the end of this month. Filipinos hope that with him as President, the economy will further grow and the country will prosper, and that they will eventually receive the economic benefits they have long been working for. Filipinos voted for Duterte, and he selected his Cabinet members. They promised to work on crime, drugs and development in infrastructure.

The government has been encouraging investments outside Metro Manila, such as Bacolod City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Metro Cebu and Metro Clark. With the rapid growth of the Philippine economy, different industries need good infrastructure, such as communication, Internet connectivity, transportation and airports.

****

The government is looking into the development of a new international airport to address the growing number of passengers served by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). With no sufficient parking space for airplanes, the Naia is experiencing airport congestion and traffic. With the continued increase in the number of people travelling by plane, Omni Aviation, the leading Philippine flight-training school operating in Clark, said there is a high global demand for pilots with world-class pilot training. The facilities available at Clark should be maximized to decongest the Naia and fully service the growing international and local flights for the benefit and convenience of business travellers and tourists.

****

Businessmen in manufacturing and the information technology and business-process management still have their eyes on the further development of the Clark Economic Zone. The provision of easy and affordable transportation to Clark International Airport and the business center—through the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway—has shortened the travel time.

****

Filipinos are hard working and patient. They are forgiving. They are a happy race. Filipinos deserve a president who can provide them with an environment where they can work, live and worship in peace, and have the opportunity to prosper. Duterte and his Cabinet also have to work hard. They will most certainly make mistakes but hopefully set things right to bring home the pasalubong for the nation.

For the good of the country, I hope each night he and his Cabinet members whistle.

https://www.businessmirror.com.ph/a-whistle-for-president-elect-rodrigo-duterte/