Citizen Eve

Look,  no rubbish

A mural at J. Co Doughnuts

Returning to Manila at this time, after two straight years of living in rural Africa changed my life style.  I now enjoy “footing” despite the smog because the roads in my neighborhood are well paved and clean.  Pedestrian lanes abound and motorists generally yield so I swagger like a queen without fear for life and limb.

Pedestrian lanes all over Ortigas Center  

Because I enjoy exploring the streets now, I can choose to eat in a hole-in-wall eatery or in fast food chains – all offering a variety of dishes, whenever and wherever I am hungry.

Sunday is a car-less day in Pasig City

But what gives me real joy is my newfound personality – an empowered ordinary citizen.  I am not sure if I am just reacting to how most civil servants treat the citizens nowadays  as a result  of the “You are my boss”  mantra of  President Aquino’s administration.  Or I confidently demand to be served as their boss for fear of being treated like most of the powerless citizens  in Uganda.

Ambulant vendors across Pasig City Hall

I am impressed with the quality of services that I got from the local governments of Makati and Pasig  - no noon breaks, process flowcharts are displayed, and employees are generally courteous.  Desktops are prevalent that even old-timers appear comfortable in using computers. 

An SSS member scratching her back while on queue

The Citizens Charter seems to be real.   The system works, too, at the offices of the Social Security System and its members' website.   I have never before felt this good about my country whose recent economic growth rate is at 7% and whose stock exchange main index had recorded an all-time high of 5,700. 

Brought my son to a stock trading 101 at the PSE

The positive things may have been there all along, but I was not looking before.  I did not know a good thing until I lost it.... even temporarily.

An evening along Julia Vargas and EDSA (SM Megamall)