‘Corruption’

If opening of farm-to-market roads to help farmers is corruption, let it be
If widening narrow roads so vehicles going the opposite direction could meet easily
When gravel roads are concreted for easy and comfortable travel
When safety signs and gadgets are installed to minimize road trouble
When all of the above are considered by some as corruption, so be it.

I don’t mind if they say it is corruption
When overpasses are constructed as one solution
To solving accidents involving street crossing
Specially to lovely children attending to their schooling
You may shout to the top of your voice that is corruption.

When school buildings are built even at far flung villages
To bring literacy to the old and the young of all ages
When mountains are joined by vehicular and foot bridges
So rivers are crossed without the fear of losing lives
I don’t mind if someone says that is corruption.

Development brings inconveniences, that is true
When roads are closed temporarily several times or two
Part of your land, a farm or a rice field, a valuable inheritance
Becomes a part of the road, used by the public at a glance
Is that corruption, my friend, judge it if you have a chance.
-- Bal-ag, Mountain Province DPWH