People have been fighting over this issue for quite a while and most people

detest the thought of Marcos being honored a proper burial in the Libingan
ng mga Bayani. I, for one, disagree with the people who dont take the aye
for the burial because from what I see and based on my grandparents and
parents stories things were going well. That is if you do not include the
Martial Law. I think there is no need to cry and protest because protests that
are being motivated by things like vengeance and anger will lead to being
blind to others opinions, deaf towards the law and cause suffering to oneself.
I am here to make others see what they overlook. Ironically, the protesters
protested against something that would-be worth the risk and that is the
Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. President Marcos decided to start the
construction because of the oil crisis which was caused by an embargo
rooting in the Middle East back in 1973. People who contradicted this project
was mainly big time electric suppliers. Another factor that delayed the
constructioon is the company that would execute the project ballooned their
prices at an astounding rate and it was Westinghouse. Later on, the people
discovered that they took their chances because of our desperateness. Also,
people thought that nature would be destroyed and people would be at risk
of sickness and I wont disrespect their opinion, but look at all the
advantages wasted. The 1200 megawatt plant could easily supply majority of
the Philippines, Luzon which demanded 9,726 MW, Visayas at a rate of 1,878
MW and Mindanao which needed 1,593 MW. It would also provide a tactical
asset because nuclear weaponry would be accessible to us and military
facilities will be experiencing less power shortages. In terms of nature
friendliness and effectiveness, the nuclear power plant would be so much
better than multiple fossil fuel plants. Why? It is because the generation of
electricity through nuclear energy reduces the amount of energy generated
from fossil fuels (coal and oil). Less use of fossil fuels means lowering
greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and others). Currently, fossil fuels are
consumed faster than they are produced, so in the next future these
resources may be reduced or the price may increase becoming inaccessible
for most of the population.
Earlier, I discussed the trade of oil and what pops up in your head when
trade comes up. Money, right? Let me tackle the currency and economic
status of the Philippines when Marcos reigned as president. Our economic
development was fairly going well. Foreign investors, mainly from the USA
were very eager to have their jobs done here in the Philippines. The
Philippines made a deal with the American economy to purchase agricultural
goods such as sugar tobacco, coconut, bananas, and pineapple and as US
corporations prospered our economy became smooth and controllable. Our
GNP (Gross National Product) to Debt ratio was manageable and the

government made efforts to make those GNP numbers rise at a comfortable

rate. Even though the Martial Law was still in effect, it did not hinder the
government to make the national economic growth rate to an average of 6%7%. It done through the effort of this project, the Kilusang Kabuhayan at
Kaunlaran or Movement for Livelihood and Progress. Sadly, the gleeful days
of skyrocketing economy plummeted down into a ditch because of a event
that was blamed on Marcos. The Assassination of Benigno Aquino sJunior. I
shall not give any further accusations, conclusions and other opinions
because I am not in a place where I can dish out stuff that may offend
greatly.
The Martial Law is also a hot topic which also proves to be a trump card of
the opposing protesters. In my opinion, The Martial Law was just a failed
strategy and an abused power. President Marcos was in a state of being
pressured by the whole world. His peers sneered him, investors looked at
him as a disgrace, a pack of communists threaten fellow countrymen to give
up their possessions and lives, and religious fights break out here and there.
Who wouldnt feel a surge to use a power that is said to solve problems and
buy some time to think solutions and effective strategies. Then people
supported his idea of the Martial Law and lo! He proclaimed it , Martial law
ceased the clash between the executive and legislative branches of the
government and it was a change that solved the massive corruption in the
country as viewed by critics. It also helped in rivaling the other countries
achievements by wide spreading self-sacrifice to attain national well-being.
The deterioration of the economy started when people declined support on
Marcos plans. Miserably, the people were conducting protest masses and
prayer rallies. The exposure of numerous human rights violations motivated
Marcos to announce an election in 1978 and 1981 in an aim to stabilize the
countrys chaotic condition. The Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. Social
unrest spread and Corazon Aquino won the snap election as Marcos
proposed. Still he succeeded in his goal, satisfying the peoples needs and
demands.
From what I researched I believe that Marcos can be rightfully buried in the
Libingan ng mga Bayani. Marcos is just a person who made mistakes. Those
mistakes were unexcpected and no one would like or benefit from it. I hope
that he would be buried peacefully and just forgive and forget.My intention is
not to argue aggressively, but to show how he made such effort just to keep
our country kicking and going. When you see, someone making such effort
dont you think he/she deserves something in exchange?