By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
Leave the science people to their devises and they will come up with something great. Just be supportive but remain in the background. Interference would only destroy their initiative. If done in a bad way, they might even become totally demoralized.
The politicians of Benguet should, therefore, keep their distance from the work of the Department of Science and Technology in the implementation of the province’s Science and Technology Innovation (STI) plan. It is supposed to be a map on how to come up with sustainable communities by harnessing knowledge and applying the same in real life, particularly in vegetable farming, mining, related MSMES, renewable energy, etc. In short, the main sources of livelihood in Benguet province.
Let us not kid ourselves about where we are now as far as STI is concerned. The reality is, we have a lot of catching up to do compared to the rest of the world. This despite the admitted intelligence and innovativeness of our people. Where does the fault lie? Our being too political as a people and as a nation.
How to reach the Filipino dream of advancing in life, particularly economically? Chances are, a big number of us would be thinking of getting into politics. It is public knowledge the sources of political largesse are the SOPs (grease money) contractors of public works projects are too willing to give just to bag such juicy contracts.
While brainy people in advance countries would be thinking of innovations in science and technology and then looking for venture capitalists to finance the application of these in coming up with marketable products such as computer hardware or software, etc., we do it the third world way.
Well, that is our reality.
Thus, to repeat, for the implementation of the Benguet STI plan to succeed, the interference of politicians must be kept at a minimum. Hopefully, this will not end up to be a mere wishful thinking.
The hope lies in young and idealistic politicians who have the mental strength to go “against the grain.”
Attending DOST’s launching of the Benguet STI plan the other day, I met Joel Tingbaoen Jr.who appears to be young for a politician. He did not look to have already been hopelessly embroiled in the ways of traditional politicians. He still looked fresh and might still have some idealism or long-term political dreams. If he stays relatively clean compared to the rest in the political landscape, he will go very far.
Why did I use the phrase “relatively clean”? The reason is a “clean politician” is generally accepted as a contradiction in terms.
For there are realities politicians in this country have to deal with. Number one is how generally uninformed voters are. They want politicians to be clean but are easily swayed by other factors other than the honesty, sincerity and competence of politicians.
The result? Voters would vote for those who don’t have the welfare of the electorate at heart. Those who are mainly concerned about their selfish interests.
In sum, pushing for the proper implementation of the Benguet STI Plan can be a watershed of opportunities for young politicians like Joel Tingbaoen Jr. to shine. If he will really work hard for it he will be long-remembered including his children and their children in the future.
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