‘Paano na kami kung wala ka na?’
The breadth and depth of the influence of Secretary Jesse Robredo on people continually amaze me. The "Yapak ni Jesse" booth in the "Mamayan, Mamamayani" fair of Galing Pook Foundation was clearly one of the crowd's favorite. People queued up to have their photos taken with the image of Secretary Robredo. I kidded them by feigning to collect for each pose. Most of them said they were willing to pay because the occasion was priceless. They also posted messages to the secretary on the board. Many said "Thank you, idol" and “We need you.” But the message that caught my eye was that which was posted by Ed de la Torre: "Paano na kami kung wala ka na?" (What would happen to us now that you are gone?) It was a cry for hope. I allowed myself to retrogress to the feeling of being orphaned and desolate.
Fortunately, I found hope once more when I listened to the sixteen finalists in the search for the Ten Most Outstanding Programs in local governance by Galing Pook. Led by their local chief executives, local governments amazed us at how they have succeeded in reducing poverty, delivering services to the poor, increasing agricultural production, and regulating activities in areas where the central government has failed, such as small mining. These are programs where local governments demonstrated political will, creativity and empowerment instead of political patronage. Local governments showed how leadership can unite people in pursuing a common vision.
Barangay Graceville from San Jose del Monte proved that a village could stand side by side with cities and provinces in practicing good governance. The barangay is run like an efficient corporation with streamlined processes and procedures. Barangay clearance and identification cards can be obtained like a breeze. If clients are dissatisfied, their comments form part of a performance evaluation system for officials and personnel. Volunteers are organized to respond to emergencies and keep the barangay peaceful and orderly. The barangay earns revenues by running economic enterprises like a water filtration system and multipurpose centers. It serves the poor through mobile health centers that are powered by motorcycles. Barangay plans and budgets are formulated through the regular conduct of townhall meetings.
The municipal government of Siayan, Zamboanga pulled its people from poverty through the establishment of "pangkabuhayan centers" in all its barangays. The centers are owned by residents who have formed themselves into cooperatives. Farmers have found a market for their produce and access has been hastened by farm to market roads that were constructed by the local government. The centers are engaged in vegetable production and in training members on productivity.
Although education has not been devolved to local governments, the Valenzuela city government has taken over the construction of school buildings. More importantly, the city has invested heavily on software. In partnership with the local DepED, the city has developed reading and math workbooks for all students, and maintains a massive feeding program for all undernourished children. The "nanay-teacher" program develops responsible parenting skills of fathers and mothers. The teaching-camp strengthens capacities of teachers on developing reading skills through story-reading. The city runs a summer reading camp where non-readers are helped by teachers and volunteers to become independent readers.
My personal favorite are the Teen Centers called "TEENiran", an initiative of Iloilo province. The centers provide a sanctuary and a nesting place for public high school students. They are like havens for teen-agers where they can study, play board games or jam with friends, seek counselling from peers-counsellors, and provide them with a safe and comfortable space where they can be. When I asked a student what she was doing in the teen-center, she replied, “Nagpapahinga lamang po.” (I am just resting). The center is a simple innovation but answers a dire need of students for fellowship, protection and understanding. Governor Defensor does not want his students to turn to drugs, gambling, drinking and vices.
Businesses that are looking for meaningful and relevant CSR programs need not look far. They can partner with local governments in the communities where they operate. But the first thing that they need to develop is trust. Many local governments are not corrupt and inefficient. They are run by young, idealistic, and competent leaders. These are those who are walking along the road which Mayor Robredo took. And for the remaining leaders who have remained “trapos” and corrupt, businesses must help so that voters can learn to choose candidates that their communities deserve.
mguevara@synergeia.org.ph