Encourage people to go back to the provinces.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Tita Datu Puangco

I READ your sound advice to your reader who was thinking of moving to the province. I wish to share my opinion.

The Philippines is my adopted home and after living in Metro Manila for more then a decade, I decided to move out due to traffic, pollution, stress, etc. I have been living in Baguio City for five years now. This was the best decision my family and I made especially since we are raising our five children. The place has great weather, clean air, fresh vegetables and low cost of living. The benefits are endless.

My work still brings me to Manila every Monday and Tuesday at the most, with the rest of the week spent working over broadband Internet. Through the cell phone, I am able to manage my business from Baguio.

If our government focuses on provincial development by providing good infrastructure and agricultural support, our major cities will not be as crowded and full of squatters. People from the provinces move to the city because they go hungry in their hometown due to lack of work and support. This drives them to the big city. They think they can find good work and have a good life. But this is a mirage.

I have toured many provinces and I have seen the hunger, unemployment, debt and poverty. Most of them think they are poor and hungry because they live in the province and if they can get an opportunity to go to the big city, they will be fine. I have tried in my small way to communicate the evils of working in crowded cities but this does not discourage people from dreaming to work in the glittering city.