Promises, commitments
“Wthe difference between “promise” and “commitment”?” That was the question asked me by a fellow local government public servant. We were in a huddle with other peers in the public service sector prior to the start of ceremonies marking the inauguration of the fourth annex of the Antipolo City Hospital System.
The new annex, located in Barangay Mambugan, nestled in the area popularly referred to as “LA” or “Lower Antipolo” was opened to the public last week. The event marked a major accomplishment for the city – four new city hospitals built in a span of six years.
“Why is that question important to you?” I asked my friend.
“Well,” he said, “people easily utter promises even there was no clear commitment to fulfill it.”
“I believe the difference is that a commitment is accompanied by a will to fulfill the promise, a plan, and a sense of accountability to the people to whom the promise was made,” I told my friend.
Building four hospitals in a span of six years was not an easy task. It entailed the deployment and use of massive resources – land, funds, people. More important, it required a strong will to see the project to its completion amid opposition, objections, and the unceasing bashing by adversaries and non-believers.
We were told that a city-owned and run hospital can never be built. We were also told that, even if we were to build it, it would eventually stop operations. No local government ever succeeded in building and running hospitals, we were told.
What nay-sayers did not understand was that we looked at the dream of a hospital system for the people of the city as more than just an advocacy – it was a mission shared by all sectors.
We put the dream under the category of “WIG” as strategic planners call it – “Wildly Important Goal.” Other planning experts call it “BIHAG” – Big Hairy Audacious Goal. It is supposed to be like the big, hairy monster which scares you. The wildly, important goal is supposed to test not just the ability but also the will and the courage to transform a dream into reality.
The “WIG” challenges us to overcome obstacles and to junk the excusesblames-justifying failure-type of mentality. One calls it a wildly important goal because it is supposed to inspire creativity and resourcefulness.
More important, that goal summons one to transform a promise into a commitment.
The four new hospitals of Antipolo City built within a period of six years are by no means perfect. They are a work in progress.
The personnel who work in the hospitals continue to be the object of social media bashers. Trolls complain about lack of attention, the occasional discourtesies, the limitation in hospital capacities, and similar other gaps.
It is interesting that many of the bashers do not even live in the city. Some of them come from nearby municipalities and a few are reportedly working for political personalities with show business inclinations. We believe that the legitimate beneficiaries know and appreciate the fact that a wildlyimportant goal has been accomplished for them.
The fact is that from zero, there are now four hospitals functioning and serving the people of the city. One is even equipped with a peritoneal dialysis machine for underprivileged residents suffering from kidney-related ailments.
The hospitals are still a work in progress. And, there’s work and there’s progress.
What is the difference between a promise and a commitment?
Here’s the final answer. A promise can build you nothing. Commitment has built four new hospitals.
* For feedback, please email it to antipolocitygov@gmail. com or send it to #4 Horse Shoe Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Bgy. Beverly Hills, Antipolo City, Rizal.