Jan 06 Photos

Dr. Honeycutt provides this feedback on his recent visit to Poro Point

As you can see, the base is not significantly different in regard to buildings, etc. than when we were there. The PAF uses the buildings for primarily the same functions as the USAF troops. The VOA antennae now sit on the end of the point. It appears that VOA uses a satellite feed to a nearby building that holds the transmitter and does not require many full-time employees.

In regard to you question about current poverty levels, let me try to explain as best I can. Many Filipinos are better off financially than when we served at WAS. My belief is that most were poor in 1970, but were able to obtain goods to satisfy basic needs (food, shelter, jeepney transportation),. Most fit into this category and a few had a substantial income derived from land ownership, successful business, or graft from political office.

A large problem now is that the population is pushing 90 million vs. 38-40 in 1970. This means, for example, that there are 2 or 3 times the people living in La Union, on the same or less farm land that existed in 1970. Thus, it is not feasible for the average filipino to live in a simple nipa hut, grow rice and a few vegetables and subsist. This is what is sad about Baguio--the town is over-crowded and houses were builit on the sides of hills, one on top of the other, without proper planning, sewage systems, etc. Second, millions of filipinos work or reside overseas (overseas foreign worker) and send $100-500 home to their families each month. This inflow of foreign funds hides the real underemployment of the average filipino. Many filipinos are paid only $2-3 a day for working 12 hour shifts.

The National Highway, where Bali Hai is, now seems like a NASCAR racetrack with all the cars, buses, and trucks. I remember being in that area in 1970 and traffic was light and at night it was difficult to get a jeepney back to WAS. Third, like in the US, the expectation of what makes a person wealthy has expanded. Filipinos expect to have a car, cell phone, cable tv, air conditioning, eat out, etc. If money is diverted from basic needs (food, shelter, health care) to perceived needs (a cellphone) is the person better off? So, to answer simply, yes the filipinos are better off in many ways, but there are more people who are near the bottom of the barrel and who struggle to make ends meet (satisfy their basic needs).

Many of the super poor have migrated from rural farms to larger cities like Manila and Baguio hoping to find a job/means of living. This has resulted in squatter areas and people who rob or kill people for their livelihood. Also, there is now a drug problem in the PI, unlike when we were there. The drug of choice is "shabu," I believe it is like crack. Sorry for the long, rambling answer, but it is a complex situation. All this said, I feel very comfortable at Poro. There are still lots of GIs, lots of attractive and available women who are on the lookout for a honey, and plenty of places to eat, drink, and live. One of the former WAS GIs told me he paid 8,000 pesos a month rent ($160) for a three-bedroom house, and about 8,000 for cable, water, and electricity. I think you and I would think $320 a month for our house and utilities would not be too bad. However, if you drink a lot and eat out, you can deplete your retirement check. Most former GIs live like kings on $1500 a month and have cell phones, cars, a/c homes, cable, and internet access. Most that I have seen have very attractive wives/girlfriends, even though a few hooked up with what I would describe as less attractive women. But my position is if they are happy, who am I to say anything! -end--


			Jan 06 Photos by Col. Earl Honeycutt (ret) Also see report below.




		Dr. Honeycutt provides this feedback on his recent visit to Poro Point As you can see, the base is not significantly different in regard to buildings, etc. than when we were there. The PAF uses the buildings for primarily the same functions as the USAF troops. The VOA antennae now sit on the end of the point. It appears that VOA uses a satellite feed to a nearby building that holds the transmitter and does not require many full-time employees. In regard to you question about current poverty levels, let me try to explain as best I can. Many Filipinos are better off financially than when we served at WAS. My belief is that most were poor in 1970, but were able to obtain goods to satisfy basic needs (food, shelter, jeepney transportation),. Most fit into this category and a few had a substantial income derived from land ownership, successful business, or graft from political office. A large problem now is that the population is pushing 90 million vs. 38-40 in 1970. This means, for example, that there are 2 or 3 times the people living in La Union, on the same or less farm land that existed in 1970. Thus, it is not feasible for the average filipino to live in a simple nipa hut, grow rice and a few vegetables and subsist. This is what is sad about Baguio--the town is over-crowded and houses were builit on the sides of hills, one on top of the other, without proper planning, sewage systems, etc. Second, millions of filipinos work or reside overseas (overseas foreign worker) and send $100-500 home to their families each month. This inflow of foreign funds hides the real underemployment of the average filipino. Many filipinos are paid only $2-3 a day for working 12 hour shifts. The National Highway, where Bali Hai is, now seems like a NASCAR racetrack with all the cars, buses, and trucks. I remember being in that area in 1970 and traffic was light and at night it was difficult to get a jeepney back to WAS. Third, like in the US, the expectation of what makes a person wealthy has expanded. Filipinos expect to have a car, cell phone, cable tv, air conditioning, eat out, etc. If money is diverted from basic needs (food, shelter, health care) to perceived needs (a cellphone) is the person better off? So, to answer simply, yes the filipinos are better off in many ways, but there are more people who are near the bottom of the barrel and who struggle to make ends meet (satisfy their basic needs). Many of the super poor have migrated from rural farms to larger cities like Manila and Baguio hoping to find a job/means of living. This has resulted in squatter areas and people who rob or kill people for their livelihood. Also, there is now a drug problem in the PI, unlike when we were there. The drug of choice is "shabu," I believe it is like crack. Sorry for the long, rambling answer, but it is a complex situation. All this said, I feel very comfortable at Poro. There are still lots of GIs, lots of attractive and available women who are on the lookout for a honey, and plenty of places to eat, drink, and live. One of the former WAS GIs told me he paid 8,000 pesos a month rent ($160) for a three-bedroom house, and about 8,000 for cable, water, and electricity. I think you and I would think $320 a month for our house and utilities would not be too bad. However, if you drink a lot and eat out, you can deplete your retirement check. Most former GIs live like kings on $1500 a month and have cell phones, cars, a/c homes, cable, and internet access. Most that I have seen have very attractive wives/girlfriends, even though a few hooked up with what I would describe as less attractive women. But my position is if they are happy, who am I to say anything! -end--