26/06/2015
This photo was taken at a farflung village at North Cotabato where lack of an access road is still a major concern. It can only be reached through a makeshift bamboo raft or a 4x4 public jeepney (well, there’s only one in the village). During the rainy season, however, the river becomes impassable and these families are left somehow stuck. This leaves kids not being able to go to school, and since there’s no health center too, sick residents and pregnant women are not given proper medical attention. Hopefully, an alternate paved road will be constructed through an international grant.
I remember this 10 year-old kid who looked at me straight to the eye and told me how he wanted to have the road built at their village so his father can sell the harvested corn which translates to money to sustain their daily needs, and for him to go to school. His eyes reflected that dream to study and sadly, a sense of hopelessness too. A few weeks ago I met a 50sh lady who told me how she does not support the CAB and BBL given the unfortunate Mamasapano incident earlier this year, and since people from the Bangsamoro are "used to war" anyway. My face turned red.
We should never settle for the status quo. I believe that justice should be served to whoever deserves it, military or Moro, regarding the Mamasapano incident but putting a stop to agreement? Please don't. This path towards peace are not just for these people involved in the incident and neither should we label a certain group just by the actions of a few. The road to peace is for all the families, women, and children, and that opportunity for them to have better chance to realise their dreams.
