Manila, March 6 -- "Excellence is not a destination, it is a continuous journey that never ends."- Brian Tracy

This year, several aid programs by both national agencies and local governments are set to be implemented. As usual, there are several naysayers who have rehashed their criticisms of direct aid programs. The said critics claim that all of these programs are only short term or band aid solutions to the root problems in several communities. It is respectfully submitted that these critics might not be seeing the big picture insofar as far as these programs are concerned.

Admittedly, some of these programs may be limited in terms of end goals. Many of these programs, however, are actually part of larger projects where the proponent...