Pat Rigodon

So the government is actually capable of cleaning the streets, fixing damaged roads, repainting public spaces, and improving the appearance of our cities? All this time, they knew how to do it, but it takes an ASEAN Summit for them to finally take action? Isn't that an insult to the very people they are supposed to serve? It's interesting how quickly neglected areas suddenly receive attention when foreign delegates are expected to arrive. Streets are cleaned, roads are repaired, public spaces are beautified, and everything is made presentable. But why does it take international attention for these improvements to happen? Filipinos have been living with these same problems for years. We deal with poorly maintained roads, dirty surroundings, neglected public facilities, and temporary repairs that barely solve anything. Yet suddenly, everything becomes a priority when the country is about to welcome foreign visitors. Our communities deserve the same attention. Our people deserve the same effort. Clean surroundings, safe roads, and properly maintained public spaces should never be treated as special preparations for an international event. They are basic responsibilities of the government. And after the ASEAN Summit is over, what happens next? Will the maintenance continue, or will our cities slowly return to the same condition? The problem isn't that the government can make our cities look presentable. The problem is that it seems to take an international audience for them to remember that Filipinos deserve to live in decent communities, too. Public service should not be a performance staged for foreign visitors. It should be a responsibility fulfilled for the people every single day.