On Wednesday we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whose love for mankind was enough for Him to offer His own life to give man his salvation. Unlike the previous pomp and pageantry of a celebration, this time it will be a subdued one because we just experienced what we thought would never happen in our lives. We can't blame nature, of course, for sending a 7.2 magnitude earthquake to force theBoholanoson their knees orsuper typhoon Yolanda to murder almost 10,000 people from Leyte, Samar and the rest of the Western Visayas with its storm surge and unbelievable wind speed. It is nature's way of restoring order, balance and harmony in the universe. But why should the unscrupulous and insensitive power providers act like gods by punishing the entire Filipino people with unconscionable rate increase the effect of which will be a national disaster? And as if by conspiracy, the government appears to be inutile to stop it.

We may not feel the disastrous effect of the electric rate increase because the bills have not been delivered yet. But wait till the January billing is delivered and let us see who will be strong enough to remain on their seats. So far only the cause-oriented left have seen what is going to happen and did the only thing they know how to get government to act – by staging mass actions in the capital. I have to admit they are correct this time. There has to be an acceptable reason for power providers to increase their rates to a level that is no longer reasonable and affordable to the majority of the Filipino people. No explanation is acceptable especially that there seems to be truth to the claim of collusion among the power providers and distributors to take advantage of the situation in the aftermath of national calamities. This is rubbing salt to the already injured and suffering people.

Surely there is something that the government of President Aquino can do to avert the impending national disaster. If it cannot stop the increase, there is a suggestion to subsidize this to keep the people away from its debilitating effect. The P12 billion 2014 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)of congressmen and senators have already been scrapped in next year's budget. Why not use this in the meanwhile together with the almost unlimited PDAF and DAP of the Office of the President to prevent the power rate increase from further maiming the poor? The Filipino people must stand unified on this issue. Boholanos must stand behind this issue if only to let the President know that this is no longer just issues brought to his government by his critics. This is an issue that affects everyone that the Aquino administration mustlisten to and do something positive. For the poor to pay triple or double for the same kilowatt hour consumption every month is a crime that must not be allowed to happen.

NOTES. The people especially of Panglao were happy to see a bulldozer, grader and back hoe of Square Cube Construction, the contractor awarded with the P72 M (winning bid is P49 M) fencing, clearing and grubbing project of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environmental Protection Project (NBACSEPP) in Panglao days before President Aquino was scheduled to come to Bohol last month. Pres. Pinoy was rumoured to take a look at the project which he promised will be completed by the end of his term in 2016. Unfortunately because of the hectic schedule of the President, he skipped the Panglao airport visit. Three days after the President left, all the heavy equipment of the contractor also left the area and have not been seen in the project site until today. I don't know what kind of work ethics Square Cube has but leaving before the work is done without explanation does not sit well with the people who have been waiting for this project for many years already. Now they are asking if the project will really push through this time. Personally I think it will, but contractors must show cause to the people that it will.

Anyway, whatever worries us, let it not dampen the preparation that we make for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day this Wednesday. The decors – Christmas trees, the Belen, the glittering light series and parols that make the preparations in our homes are just symbols of what we really feel during this time. What is more important is the preparation that everyone makes of himself to be ready for Christmas. I ask myself, “Do I have the best room and manger to offer Jesus to be born in?” What about you? Have you prepared yourself? MERRY CHRISTMAS!