Archive for the ‘character city’ Category
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentation 3:22-23
I am Philian Louise Weygan Allan, born in 1957 in the city of Baguio to Galo and Maria Weygan. Born, raised and studied with my 7 siblings in the public and private schools in our city. We are a healthy big family with no major illness when we were younger, except for those occasional attacks during the flu season. We roamed the mountains and valleys, swim the rivers, grow our gardens and raise our chickens, pigs and rabbits. A childhood full of memories and entering to a competitive high school and a breeze of the wind in college.
While I was working and doing my Master in the University of the Philippines-Baguio. One morning while we were in church, I was suddenly struck with pain and could no longer carry myself to walk. I limped and the next day my mother brought me to the hospital where all sorts of x-ray, test and doctors’ appointment ensued. I was diagnosed with a broken back, a fractured spine lumbar 5 and 6 and was pinching my nerves. Every movement was pronounced with pain and sitting and standing is impossible.
For over than five months, I was unable to walk, confined to traction in bed and wasted away.
Those five months, the late Dr Servando Liban II, a neurologist worked on my case like a hawk. He believed I will walk again even when I did not believe I will. Worked on my case when I made the decision not to go through surgery and instead take a more conservative treatment when my 5th and 6th lumbar got crashed and bit into my nerves which rendered my feet useless. Dr Liban explained very well the situation and gave an option of surgery or conservative treatment, there were no guarantees but I choose to go the conservative way of having lumbar traction, pain relievers, and other medicine that would help me recover. He would do a weekly home visit to check on me, check that I am tied to my traction day and night with intervals.
Those five months I was not able to walk and stayed in bed, my parents, my siblings would take turns putting and removing my traction; washing me up, putting and removing the bedpan, serving and clearing out my food and assisting me with almost everything that a normal person should be doing. There were times, I can pull my self and sit down on the bed or slide down to the chair that they left beside my elevated bed. At the foot of my bed was the traction being pulled by a sack of stones as weights, at one time I remember it was a sack of sand with a specific weight requirement.
Those five months my siblings were in school and my parents were at work. As I lay in bed I would listen to the radio, the teaching and worship songs that were played in a radio cassette player. I would know the time that a drama was played, the country sounds were on, the news would be aired. And when I was not listening to the radio, I was listening to evangelical teaching tapes by religious leaders and religious songs, hymns and worship from cassette tapes left by my mom and dad for me to while the day that I am left at home.
At the later months, I find myself nauseated, feverish and at times groggy and delirious. Maybe for laying down too long, the side effects of medicines and maybe a mind that wanders. Came a time I give up as everything I eat came out, and even prayers were not able to calm my tired and broken body. I cried a lot and prayed more. Then I wrote my last will and testament, wrote goodbye letters to my parents and by March 6 I was ready to meet the FATHER.
That week in March 1982, my parents were attending activities of the miracle crusade team of Janet Combs at the Church of the Resurrection. They joined the teachings, the healing ministry and the nightly worship service. On that particular March 6, a team of Episcopal Church Women led by the late Mrs. Esther Cosalan joined my mother and they prayed for me. I cried as I lay down in bed, knowing that, that morning I asked God to take me home with him to eternity. They surrounded my bed, reading the Bible, singing praise and worship, praying, laying their hands on me. After they were done, Aunty Esther took my hand and said “Philian you rise up and walk!” I was in pain as they helped me get up, sit in my bed, they put my shoes on and then led me to the living room. And miracles of miracles, Mom and Aunty Esther held my hand and crying, I walked from my room to the Sala.
Since the Night worship service was happening in church and the women were going to go, they asked me if I can join them. So, my siblings changed my clothes, put my socks and pink walking shoes. (How can I remember those details boggles my mind, it is amazing, as I was in a bad state before that) While in church, I was sitting, standing and when testimony came, I was helped and walked to the front and shared my testimony on how God healed me instead of taking me home. That was my first time to share my testimony on how God healed me, gave me a new life and extended it. Gave me the answer of a prayer, a husband a bigger family, and see the nephews, nieces and grandchildren grow.
Forty years from March 6, 1982 has been a long time. I have travelled far and wide, have met people from all walks of life and of different cultures, have taught and learned in different classrooms and locations. God allowed me practice a profession and a vocation, made me an educator, a cross culture missionary, development worker, and a public legislator.
Forty years ago, a miracle happened and continue to happen in these times.
O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am. (psalm 39:4)
strawberry fields forever
Posted on: August 18, 2020
Strawberry fields forever
The Barangay Agriculture and Fisheries Committee (BAFC) Ordinance is on its third and final Reading scheduled for August 10, 2020.
The city has already lined up some projects for these BAFC to participate in. First will be six green houses for strawberries, one to be a model farm in the City Vet and Agriculture Office and the five to be given to the following pilot barangays; Loakan Apugan, Minesview, Middle Rock Quarry, Lower Dagsian, Bakakeng Norte/Sur. There will still be 19 greenhouses to be implemented next year. This is also in line with the ordinance to pioneer 5 BAFC.
My interest in strawberry fields was re kindled with a visit of Brenda Solang Sudaypan and Sol Langay to the office showing me some big strawberries. I was giving my divided attention as I was late for an activity at the city hall grounds. But I could see their determination that I hear them out. So, I sat down and they related to me that there are strawberries in Santo Tomas. At that time, I thought all the strawberry fields are now in Benguet. But it is not so, because when we were kids, there were strawberry fields in North Sanitary Camp, across the river from our home.
So that afternoon, out of the bag of Brenda came out the King Strawberries and I thought she was joking. It was the biggest and reddest strawberries I saw for a long time. Anyway, they told me of an association that is involved in agriculture and so I asked what can I do for them, we did not have a clear idea of how we can work together. So, I suggested that one day we will do a farmer’s market. And told them to inform the barangay of what can be done, we tried to schedule them for other activities.
Then they sent me an invitation for the induction of their new set of officers, that was the time that we finally made a farm visit and also their induction in the presence of the Highly Urbanized Cities Agriculture and Fisheries Council. (HUCAFC) the Barangay Officials and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan. After the induction and snacks, we went for strawberry picking and farm visit before we finally walked around and talked on some ideas towards a plan. That time we were talking about farmer’s market and an Agri Tourism for the Bilis, Santo Tomas.
We envisioned an Agri Tourism project composed of a parking lot, a registration kiosk, a view point, a snack bar, strawberry picking, vegetable store, a souvenir shop and a photo booth. The idea was to have a walking path that goes around and also up to the view point. That sharing did not have a second chance to be discussed as the pandemic ensued. It was to be a community project and not privately run.
The farmer’s market was also discussed with the members of the barangay council specially Kag Ike Picpikan and the PB Cawaing. It was good because the barangay had their first farmer’s market during their anniversary this year. It still has to be seen how they can make it more responsive to the needs of the farmers and the general public.
Going back to the strawberry fields, the city has now realigned the mushroom project to the strawberry project by providing 6 greenhouses this year and another 19 units by next year. This will encourage the production of strawberries in the urban and rural barangays of the city. This will revive a product that has a big market in the city of Baguio.
Posted on: July 10, 2018
FOR our summer break we got a tour with Travelocity that included our flight, hotel, airport pick-up and two city tours.
One of this was a hop in hop out tour of Taipei
I have done the London, Melbourne and San Diego hop in hop out and so was excited to experience another.
One of the business lines not fully explored in Baguio, my husband and I experience an organized two day tour of Bohol which could be replicated even in our city. Unfortunately, our city is losing its historical sites like the post office, Governor Pack Baden Powell, the Abanao horse trough and other historical spots that speak of our heritage.
Last May 23 we took a taxi to the Taipei main station, and the taxi driver does not know where the pick-up point was and dropped us at the far end of the station. We had to walk far, asking people, showing them the map which was in Chinese character.
When we finally reached the main station, one pointed east so we went east then another pointed west and we went west.
The temperature was above 30 which is beyond my tolerance and I was sweating all over, while my husband was just walking by the building waiting for me to find the right spot. I was ready to give up when I saw a man who, I perceive to be a sweeper of the ground, and I showed him the map, he pointed south and said something in Chinese and pointed southeast, which I interpreted as south for getting in the bus and SE for getting off the bus and so we followed his instruction and there it was, the bus with the tour guide.
The tour has two routes, the red and the blue, and the ticket we got allowed us the red and the blue routes. So took the red route which brought us around the eastern side of Taipei and after completing that we took the Blue bus that took us to the northern part.
We spent nearly two hours at the National Palace Museum. There are four floors and my husband was engrossed and explained to me some of the historical data and physical material. We got our tickets and given a map, some had literature like Gallery 103 the Treasures from the National Palace Museum’s Collection of Qing Dynasty Historical Documents and gallery 104 the Gems and collection of rare and Antiquarian Books, which we visited last.
We first went to the second floor and saw amazing jars, flat vases etc. in under glazed blue Yongle reign of the Ming dynasty. The Kneaded clay ceramics the Song Dynasty and the paintings and calligraphy of the Tang Dynasty.
The third floor housed the gathered treasures including the Jadeite cabbage of the Qing Dynasty. Also materials from the Zhou dynasty (ca 9th century to 771 BCE) Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) Shang Dynasty (13- 11th century). It really was amazing and these people who would come to visit the Museum to learn more of their ancient history and traditions. Amazing still is the commitment of the government to maintain the museum. They are closed on Sundays and holidays.
After lunch we passed by the Zhishan garden beside the Museum before going to the bus stop. Similar to the London bus, this is a double decker and top floor has a portion which was air conditioned and the other portion of the bus is top down.
The red bus route passes by the Chang Kai Shek memorial park, the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, the Taipei 101, Huashan Cultural and Creative Industries Park, Daan Park (biggest park) and several shopping areas.
The blue route passes the fine arts Museum, the Ambassador Hotel, Shilin Official Residence among others. We missed the shopping areas, as we were more interested on the cultural stops which were many and one day tour is not enough to if we have to explore all of them.
They have deities enshrined in most of these buildings and stops and we see tourist and locals bow down and offer incense.
Going over the hop in hop out tours, they highlighted cultural, historical and new additions like the Taipei 101. In 2013, I organized a Spiritual Tour of Baguio City, maybe I can organized that and sell it. We may lack historical sites to highlight should there be an organized city tour of Baguio.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1746242/Baguio/Opinion/Weygan-AllanHop-in-hop-out-Taipei
Wulai of Taiwan
Posted on: July 10, 2018
DURING our trip to Taipei, we added a tour to Wulai. It was one of the tours that were offered which was not very far from the city and it takes about 45 minutes car drive. And it a favorite destination because it is one of the cultural village near Taipei.
Our tour guide picked us from the hotel and she started talking about Taipei and places we were passing by. She uses her phone for immediate translation and directions. There was another fellow from Texas, originally from South Africa who was with us in the tour.
Wulai is a small town in New Taipei, Taiwan and derives its name from kirufo ulai which means hot springs of the native language of the Indigenous peoples, the Atayal tribe. They recently completed some rebuilding some structures as they experience great damage from typhoon in August and September 2015.
They are considered the third largest aboriginal group of Taiwan. Along the way we passed by a lot of beetle nut palm plantations, the clear rivers where fisher folks were fishing.
There are many hotels and resorts where visitors pay to take a bath or soak. Since it was hot summer, this was not a suggested activity. The hot springs produce alkaline carbonic acid water at 50 to 80 degrees Celsius.
As soon as we arrived, Eunice our tour guide told us to take the stairs to the push cart where she got our tickets. It was a long steep walk which gives a picturesque view and some Wulai statue where we took some photos.
When we reached the station, there was a long cue at the ticket booth, but we joined the cue for the ride. The push carts were actually mono rail log carts that carry at least ten or more people into the side of the mountain. After our ride we were picked by the car and rushed to the cultural show. To me and my husband this was the highlight of tour.
First, the garments used were woven and colors were red, white, and yellow, black. Some of the vest could pass as one of our Igorot weave.
However, the skirts were either above the knee or long dress not like our tapis which are below the knee.
The dancing steps were a lot of kicking and jumping and they were continually chanting and singing. Sometimes it seems like a cheer rather than a chant. The dancers were young adults and accordingly there was one Filipina dancer who worked there a few years ago. There was a general dancing, a hunting dance, a harvest dance and also a wedding dance.
The wedding dance was first danced by the dancers then they got us to participate. One male dancer got me and the lady dancers got the male guest.
First they gave us leis, head gear and a vest, then the ritual of a drink, kneeling and holding a wooden log with one hallow part in each end, one for groom and one for bride, imitating a drink.
Then a wooden chair woven together by vines was carried by the groom and the bride rides and is carried around. The women come and dance around, while the men were also dancing.
After that we all formed a circle and did a dancing like “digwe” in our native dance, lifting one foot alternately. This was a great experience that an Indigenous People (IP) will enjoy.
The culture dance was in a theatre which also holds a museum a shop and a good view of the waterfalls. My husband bought a vest which cost around $15 and I bought some small items. Then we went out and had photos with the waterfalls in the background. The Wulai waterfall is 80 meter high and about 10 meters width.
We walked to the Museum before visiting the other shops; I bought a sausage which tasted so good. My husband took photos with the carved hunter – a man carrying a deer and a dog at his feet. We have our cordilleran version of this woodcarving. The tour was a good one afternoon, and I wished it was longer.
If given another chance I would want to go back and spend more time in the Wulai village not as a tourist, but a culture learner.
THE DUCK SEASON
Posted on: July 10, 2018
DUCK Season is a name of a famous restaurant and there is also a Duck Season E-game. But duck season is the time my husband had 60 ducklings in two weeks’ time and this is how it started.
A few months ago, a young boy came to the farm and said he will sell ducks because he has to pay his tuition. So they agreed and the boy went home and got his sackful of five ducks. My husband was laughing as he was thinking of one or two for the pot. As it turned out, none of the ducks reached the pot. So one of his helpers got his male duck, a drake and so mating season ensued. Fortunately, two more ducks flew into farm flying above the fence. My husband informed the barangay that if there is someone looking for two ducks, the missing ducks are at his farm. Nothing happened so they have seven ducks and two drakes.
Then one by one the ducks started laying eggs, two beside each other on our east wall and so they had to place a covering and some straw for them. Then two were found in what was the previous chicken coop and one under the chicken coop. Amazingly, the eggs were increasing daily, with one duck sitting on 21 eggs and so my husband transferred some of the eggs to the other duck who was sitting on 15 eggs. And this has been going on for a few weeks, checking the eggs, transferring some and making sure they are within a nest. One day they found two eggs in the garbage dump, one duck laid eggs there and they have to make a nest for them and their laying mother duck.
Hatching is another event; the mother stays near the eggs and watches. When she sees a ducking starting to show its head, then the mother peck the egg shell and help the ducking burst into life. I still have to see that but that is the exciting story of my husband. And in this time there were minimal casualty, meaning all the eggs hatched. And this happened before the rain came. However, when the typhoon came and flooded the fields, one of the nests came underwater; my husband transferred some of the eggs in the nest which were above water. There we had eggs that did not hatch, of the 15 we lost five.
Now we have more than 65 ducklings. There are still wee ducklings that are caged with their mothers – two flocks still in separate cages. While three sets of ducklings are placed in a large pen. Their mother ducks, just stay beside the pens because if they are mixed with the ducklings inside they fight.
Last week the ducklings were allowed to roam the farm and I watched them. A flock would be with three mother ducks, but one mother ducks stands out and leads the flock teaching the ducklings to hunt food, the camote plants, the snails in the fields and other things they find in the water and in the ground.
Then one day as I watched the mother was teaching them how to clean themselves, that took a whole 25 minutes. She first got them away from the camote patch into the shallow waters. Then she surfed above the water to get their attention. When she had that she started her bath or self-cleaning lessons. She would flap her wings in the water and the ducklings followed, then she dips her wings, the ducklings did likewise. And it went on until all were cleaned then the ducklings were led in the edge of the flooded field and they continued cleaning themselves. We do learn something new every day.
Unfortunately, many refuse to learn and change. The City of Baguio just revived the Character city on the air. And the first airing last Wednesday was well responded with text messages coming in while the program was ongoing. This was anchored by Mary Perkins Langpawen with guests Rev. Abe Luis and myself as representative of Baguio Benguet Ecumenical group and Edith Dawaten, the Assistant head of the city’s HRMO. As I watched the mother lead her flock, how I dream of Baguio being led into one concerted effort to change and address our traffic, basura, tourism, market and other problems of our city.
Wish ko lang!
Grass of the field
Posted on: March 9, 2017
Published by Sunstar under Opinion- Sangal di Kultura Feb 20, 2017
Grass of the field
“That is how God cloth the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you… but seek his kingdom, and these will be given to you… for where your treasure is, there your heart be also.” (Luke 12)
By virtue of a City council resolution No 107 of 2003 and Res no 343 of 2009 the City of Baguio became a Character City joining other cities in the Philippines and other countries. Based on the Character Cities organizations, as a city of Character Baguio has declared that it is a city where a) citizens are caring and of good character b) an effective government modeling service and good character to the community c) students understand and practice attentiveness, orderliness and self-control d) Homes and street are safe with a respected law enforcers and form harmonious community relationships. e) Businesses succeed honorably f) families are healthy, harmonious and united g) faith-based support and encourage good character h) media regularly features positive news about citizens and citizens of good character.
I was sharing with my sister and a friend of mine of how unfortunate that the values of our younger years seem no longer the values held by our youth today. And yes, we hear “sabali idi, sabali tatta” “your generation is not this generation.” Indeed, it is no longer. The week passed in review as we stand witness to the church wedding of Dennis and Angeli and be told that they remained pure for each other, making God the center of their courting relationship. On another day, I sat counseling my husband’s nephew to make serious their relationship with the mother of his five year old child. However, when I talked to the nephew’s mother, she does not seem bothered and at the same time telling me that the younger daughter is also pregnant. The contrast of values is evident within the same family; the value of purity comes against the acceptance of premarital sex.
Similarly, within the same family the contrast of church teachings divides the conduct of the burial service of the parents, where the surviving children belong to at least four different churches. Even so, there is ecumenism that should prevail.
We pray that “let there be peace in our time” but ever since President Duterte started blabbering “papatayin kita” and “cursing mothers- putang ina mo” the culture has changed. Social and regular media and daily conversation have highlighted a culture of violence. Someone posted a “car parked in front of a No parking sign” the reaction is “patayin iyan.” A drug user was caught and the reaction is “dapat patayin” the culture of death and a character of violence has been introduced and being propagated. Even faith-based organization have encouraged a culture of revenge and supported the drug trade killings instead of encouraging good character. Instead of supporting the stand of doctors that drug dependency is a disease and not a crime. Past law enforcers I talked with are not really happy with the extra judicial killings. I consider it an abuse of authority when the law enforcer becomes the apprehender, the judge and the executioner. It is pure violence and playing the role of God.
It is not easy during these times where the culture of violence towards women, girls, drug related, etc. is being proliferated by people in authority. By contrast in the US, Japan and other countries when the elected official is being accused of sexual harassment or extra marital relationships, he will resign and bow out of the public service, for no longer does he model acceptable public service. But not in the Philippines, they will be condoned and will blame the other woman as Gen Bato will blame women for the extra marital affairs of the law enforcer. Why not blame the PNP and let them “shape up or get out”. Similarly, I was debating about gambling with government official who espouse legal gambling. For as government personnel they have to abide with the Civil Service ethical standards and as a law enforcer be a “gentleman” or a lady of highest virtue.
We are but grass, temporary in this lifetime. May the Christian virtues be our standards of conduct and not a wishful thinking hope for the future. It is the now- it is the present where Good character is needed, for we are known during times of peace and in times of controversies and difficulties. We must treasure life everlasting with the Creator so we must live a life of character daily. (PLCWA 2-17)
Sangal di Kultura
The Arm of the LORD is not too short to save
God willing, the voters make a decision this Monday towards a new administration in the national level and in the local government units. This campaign period, I have decided to be on the observing panel of the election preparations. For more than 26 year our family has been in the political exercise because of my dad’s 15 years as a councilor later on my short stint in city hall. But personally, I started earlier as we were the first to volunteer in NAMFREL when it was organized.
This coming election is expected to be bloody and highly controversial. “They cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts…” We are faced with a possible dictator, the last one we had was proclaimed with no warning at all, this one is uttered openly and boasting that “papatayin ko sila. etc etc” this is an election where people are cheering for a president who openly abuse women’s, disregard rule of law and practice open execution, COA ruling on ghost employees, rule Davao with the NPAs and more. Several pastors I heard say “God used the evil to right wrongs of Israel” I agree because people have become disobedient and prostitutes of other gods, that God allowed it.” O people of God, we have called judgment upon our disobedient people. Have not humbled ourselves and confess our unfaithfulness and seek God’s mercy.
But some people I talked to say that it’s a protest vote, but when I followed up and say “so ayaw mo daang matuwid, how about Aroyo was it a better administration” its is revealing that they would say “a hindi, mas maganda pa daang matuwid” so what are they protesting about. I am sometimes baffled with the response. And most of the young voters, have no history or experience of martial law, because they lived where peace was in the land. They do not realize that many died to keep that peace and democracy. But to some they prefer martial law then democracy. Oh peace, as elusive as love of a forsaken lover!
We have alternative candidates, so voters cannot say there is no choice. We have a choice and the decision is ours. Voters do not exactly know the candidates, so they rely on media, social media included to TV, radio and caucuses which is to enlighten or black propaganda. Voters do not really know these candidates and they are only influenced to make a vote. However, it goes it is a decision to be made.
“The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene, so his own arm worked. According to what they have done, so he will repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. “ (Isaiah 59:15-18) We are testing God and asking for judgment, we have arrogantly dismissed forgiveness for our wrongdoings, we have ceased to uphold democracy and we have stopped humility and now awaiting the consequences of our deeds. We enjoyed peace since 1987, that a short time but so history repeats itself.
But yet we can rise from this if the people will sober up and humble themselves for- the arm of the Lord is not too short to save. (Isaiah 59:1)
(Philian May 7, 2016)
Sangal
Sangal Di Kultura
People without a past… without a soul
Seretse Kamma said a nation without a past is a lost nation, a people without a past is a people without a soul. Unfortunately, the Filipino youth of today are losing a sense of history of what made this country what it is today. Young adults of today have no idea of what Martial Law was during the time of the Marcos and Edsa non- violent revolution that put Cory Aquino into the Presidency. This part of the Philippine history was experienced by their parents and grandparents, yet it is too distant for them to fathom. They are like a generation with no clear identity and a description of what they are as a people – Igorot, Cordilleran, Filipino.
The educational system has changed and tried to integrate culture by introducing the mother tongue in the primary school curriculum. Unfortunately, still the education department seemingly is ignorant of its people like calling the Igorots as Aetas in its handbooks, describing the bodong as a means of revenge and not a peace pact. The Igorots are now using media of all medium trying to correct printed literature that is being used in the whole archipelago, but will the writers, editors and the education department apologize and restitute- big doubt, but at the same time give them a benefit of proving otherwise. It is a sense of identity that one needs to dig deep into one’s history and traditions.
This weekend, I just finished giving a walk-through of the history of BSBT during the Employees Development Program at San Fernando. It is worth mentioning that BSBT has left footprints into the life of past students, past employees and the community. When technical and vocational institutions were unpopular and seem to be an obscure, BSBT pioneered practical and relevant courses meeting needs of industry. These later became popular and been made into TESDA competencies. The BSBT courses included training of room boys and chambermaids which we now call Housekeeping NC II. Courses like “ practical bookkeeping for non- accountants” in 1972 which is now Bookkeeping NC III of TESDA. This historical past has carved the heart of BSBTs existence which has made it a school with its degree courses in BSBA, BTTE and BSHRM and now the Senior High School of the Technical Vocational Livelihood Strand. It is the legacy that the founder, Galo D. Weygan left a sense of history that shapes its identity and guide BSBT’s future.
Going back to our present young generation, questions are raised like “what is their sense of history that will guide them as they participate in the May 2016 election?” The older generation? it is understandable as they have short memories but what about our youth, what will guide them in their choices? Did their parents and other members of the older generation prepare this generation enough for them to be able to make a choice based on a history which will bring a bright future for the country. Maybe, we need lots of soul searching even past the Holy Week.
SANGAL DI KULTURA
Refining Government service
God said “Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurities, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.” Ezekiel 24:13
This week I have been processing papers in Baguio City Hall and in agency offices in San Fernando. It still bothers me that for an item in a process there are two or three signatories before it moves on to the second process item. It is taking me a hard time to accept that despite Citizens charter and the Anti-Red Tape Act, a SUMVAC activity has not been properly coordinated in the request of budget and even the setting up of chairs for the activity. I understand why the person next to me complains it is baffling, confusing and frustrating. I try to give maximum tolerance in dealing with government offices, having the experience of 3 years in government, out of my nearly sixty years.
Government is supposed to improve the lives of the citizens and protect them. Many countries will come up with means to attain this purpose, and many will debate on how government should do it. Structures are formed with the purpose of making live better. Yet in this most advance stage of technology and intelligence the ordinary person feels harassed with all the requirements to make his life better – be it to pay taxes or be it to exercise democratic assembly.
Closer to home this present administration came up with the Bottom-up-Budgeting (BUB). One purpose is for more participation, from those who are recipients of government programs.
This week another meeting was called to look into the process of a general assembly of skills training recipients, but still the organizers are looking for the proper venue to hold the assembly. It was also a time of reviewing the monitoring team’s budget. The Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS)—a partnership of local Catholic churches, the LBP, and the DILG for the observance of good governance principles at the community level will monitor the proper implementation of the projects. However, in the city of Baguio the local executive appointed representatives of church and Civil Society Organizations to form the monitoring team. I was one of those who form the monitoring team. After the first monitoring we conducted last year, my observation is that most participating agencies and representatives are not yet familiar with the mechanics of having recipients participate in the whole cycle of a project.
From the official gazette it states that at least 1,590 local government units have participated in the BuB program since it was implemented in 2013. There were a total of 42,221 BuB projects reported in the Open BuB Portal. Of this number, 13,712 projects have been completed as of December 1, 2015 (exclusive of dropped projects that were replaced, split, or merged). For 2016, about 14,325 local poverty reduction projects have been allocated P24.7 billion. This is an increase from P8 billion in 2013 for projects identified in 595 cities and municipalities.
It is unfortunate that some good government service cannot be sustainable because of changes in political focus of elected officials and the unchanging poor service of government employees and department heads. Those in career will blame the elected officials, while the elected officials say “it is your job to deliver the service being in those positions longer than us.” It is not the blaming game, it is not even the budget restrictions but it is a personal character that makes a person delivers acceptable government service. Despite the guidelines and the restrictions that a government person has to abide, still regular people suffer miserably in the hands of government. As God has challenged us to change, to be refined and to be clean – seemingly our government deserve the wrath of God.
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