Iloilo City: How Far Have We Really Gone?
So while having the car serviced at the Jaro Nissan Service Center, I
took a little (long) stroll from Gaisano City to SM City cutting
through the Iloilo Sports Complex Road.
Started at 9:37 and arrived around 10:08. Anyway, as I took the overpass
towards the entrance to SM, I noticed that there was an old beggar lady
at the bottom of the overpass on the side of the Injap skyscraper.
Not the least bit winded from the trip (because I have teh awesome
cardio), the contrast of visual information struck me as a little bit
sad; the Injap skyscraper, 7-11, Apec 2015 signs, a relatively brand new
overpass and a pitiful looking beggar woman at the bottom of the
overpass.
I thought about donating some of my loose cash to her, but I didn't. At the end of the day, I wouldn't be helping her -- I wouldn't be saving her from doing the same thing again. Giving alms at that moment would just be plain hypocrisy. I'd just be making myself feel better-- staving off the vague moral obligation compelled by this sight. There was realistically nothing that I could do for this person at that very moment -- except perhaps to let others know so that they may know.
I'm not noble nor pure-hearted, but I can't help but feel that there's just something wrong with this scenario. Iloilo City is obviously investing millions into infrastructure development and yet, the presence of such a sight feels (to me) like a failure on the side of social welfare and the delivery of basic goods and services.
What do you think? Was this a one-time fluke? Could we stand to rethink our priorities a bit?
I thought about donating some of my loose cash to her, but I didn't. At the end of the day, I wouldn't be helping her -- I wouldn't be saving her from doing the same thing again. Giving alms at that moment would just be plain hypocrisy. I'd just be making myself feel better-- staving off the vague moral obligation compelled by this sight. There was realistically nothing that I could do for this person at that very moment -- except perhaps to let others know so that they may know.
I'm not noble nor pure-hearted, but I can't help but feel that there's just something wrong with this scenario. Iloilo City is obviously investing millions into infrastructure development and yet, the presence of such a sight feels (to me) like a failure on the side of social welfare and the delivery of basic goods and services.
What do you think? Was this a one-time fluke? Could we stand to rethink our priorities a bit?
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