Espinoza: Welcome 2023. What is ahead of us?

It has been the tradition of many, if not most Christians of any denomination, to write a New Year’s resolution.

I’m a product of a public school in my hometown in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur. If my classmates in my elementary and high school years could recall, our teachers would require us to write in a theme our respective New Year’s resolutions upon the resumption of classes after the holiday break.

But I don’t have any recollection if I have ever observed what I wrote in my theme notebook containing my New Year’s resolutions. Yes, it was more fun writing about the habits that I want to change than realizing them.

Those were the days in our growing-up years.

Now, I don’t think my elementary and high school batchmates would still write their resolutions for every new year.

At my age, all I can do is appreciate every day and be truly grateful to the Lord Almighty for another day in my life and for all the good things I have right now and, of course, the hardships I have experienced.

The two years of Covid-19 pandemic have relegated almost all of us to a work-at-home setup, and the pandemic has also almost put our economy to a standstill. Gladly, we’re still here and savoring the new year. And, for all of us who have endured and survived the dreadful coronavirus, we should say a prayer: “Thank you, Lord God, for saving us from harm. And for those who’ve died from the virus, give them eternal rest, Lord.

So, what is in store for us this year? For me, it is simply work, work, work to sustain my everyday existence. Of course, there must be rest and recreation as these are essential parts of a healthy life.

And, what can we expect from our politicians running the affairs of our government? I could only wish that we’ll have a prosperous, clean and healthy nation. A corrupt-free government is what I meant by a healthy nation.

But since I came of age, the corruption has worsened despite the establishment of anti-graft institutions like the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan, the passing of laws aimed at preventing corruption, and the promises of past and present government officials to fight corruption. But who’s to blame for this malady? You know who.

The fiasco at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when domestic and international flights were not allowed to land at said airport due to a glitch in the backup power supply that affected the air traffic control system speaks volumes of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) mismanagement of the country’s air traffic management services. So, where did the huge airport’s income go that our country failed to maintain its air traffic control system?

The returning overseas Filipino workers failed to celebrate the New Year with their respective families as they were stranded in other countries’ airports. That’s an international shame, Mr. President. Heads at CAAP should start to roll now.

Aside from this air traffic control fiasco that affected all the airports in the country, we’re still facing the increasing prices of food and other basic commodities. Economists blame the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war as one of the sources of the current inflation. The price of fuel products such as diesel, gasoline and kerosene may sometimes slightly decrease, but when the price goes up, it can be significant.

On the labor front, labor leaders are seeking or even demanding an increase in workers’ wages and salaries due to inflation, but companies oppose the move.

Be that as it may, allow me to greet each and every one a happy and prosperous new year.