A new model for business people

I found the story "Salay paper founder works hard to push for fair trade" (Inquirer, 11-25-07) very refreshing and inspiring.

Businesswoman Loreta Rafisura and her family personify the true model for all present and would-be businessmen (or women) in our country. She really has lived up to her patriotism, concern for the environment and Christian upbringing, "exemplifying that Filipino concept of bayanihan" by helping her poor constituents in Salay, Misamis Oriental, taking care of the environment (recycling of paper), and practicing and nurturing the values of fair trade in the many years she has been in business.

I hope many people, especially our top government officials, read her story, especially about how she managed to persevere and succeed in her endeavor. While she has slowly becoming a success in the paper industry, she also helped her people in Salay by providing jobs and livelihood for their families. (A stark contrast to most of our famous and wealthy businessmen who managed to get to the top by stepping on other people's toes.)

Our growth as a nation can start with people like the Rasifura family. If our government will sincerely help and support them, slowly but surely our local industries will develop, inspiring most of our countrymen to help in rebuilding our country and to truly move on to a better life.

But for as long as our high officials are preoccupied with political bickering, stealing money from the people, silencing government critics and manipulating justice for their own selfish ends, we will never know what the good life is. The high economic growth trumpeted by our national leaders will remain just a pipe dream.

Taken from the Letters to the Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer December 11,2007