Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North
"PEACE & DEVELOPMENT IN MINDANAO"
The Week That Was
By: PP Dieter Brueckner
February 28, 2007
Who wishes to read about an earlier meeting with plenty of good fellowship and a Politician as guest speaker when we had so much excitement with the International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians (IGFR) Tournament organized jointly by our Club and RC Greenmeadows? PP and DGE Renato ‘Ato’ Magadia worked four years for this event and he will make good his promise for a financial benefit for our Club out of this event.
According to PP Bert Lingad and my notes, the groundbreaking for the 3 Hectares Ave Maria Gawad Kalinga village in Tanay, Quezon is scheduled for March 10. Any donations are welcomed, but especially diesel for the tractor is urgently needed.
But now turning to our Politician and the MNLF and MILF situation and according to my sources during that meeting, which I cannot name because of security reasons, below are some interesting pointers for reflection:
Since the peace agreement 10 years ago, with then President Ramos and the MNLF
>Can Nur Missuari still become a unifiers of the MNLF?
>The threat to security is increasing and not decreasing –narcopolitics?-
>The expected quick solution through military intervention simple doesn’t work.
>Over the time, the process has strengthened the warlords instead of democratizing the areas of conflict Aid continues to flow into the region but we still have to see the success.
>The fundamental structure at village level has not changed.
>Mindanao continues to be an untapped vast area of natural resources.
>Business will find its way to prosper as long as macroeconomics are stable.
President's Corner
So, Happy New Year, damn it!
Before anything else, allow me to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
Perhaps not a few of you are tired of getting this greeting, which probably swamped your mobile phone and e-mail mailboxes. Given the challenges ahead – the global crisis, its repercussions here, the run-up to the next national elections, and others – maybe it will help to hear more well wishes.
So, happy New Year, damn it!
Seriously, the gloomy forecast suggests that this year Rotary is more relevant. Many of us are already feeling the pinch, and the others are probably bracing themselves for the worst. But in a sense, we are still the lucky ones. Imagine the hardship and anxiety of those with lesser means. No matter how difficult our situation is now, there always seems to be someone else somewhere experiencing something worse.
© Copyright 2006-2007 Rotary Club Makati North. All rights reserved.
Great job, Vic!
— Antonio Y. Chong Mar 8, 06:24 AM #