On Development and Sustainability

by A.S. Cajes

There is a Visayan saying that goes this way: walay kaugmaon kung walay kaugmaran (there is no future if there is no development). 

The root words of kaugmaon (future) and kaugmaran (development) are ugma (tomorrow) and ugmad (to cultivate), respectively. Thus, a family must ugmad or cultivate its farm today to ensure food for the family ugma or tomorrow. 

A long series of tomorrows constitutes one’s future. It is, therefore, important that farms are cultivated in a sustainable manner. Otherwise, the future is in jeopardy.

An important lesson to remember from this Visayan saying is that the notion of development includes the idea of sustainability.