It's been a year since I took oath as a public official. I cannot say that it was a perfect year, but I can say that it was a great experience and it was a good start.
Some Backstory
Prior to entering the government, I was one of those people who are very critical about the government and its processes. I joined rallies and had organized events to educate people about government accountability and the lack of it. I was once declared a persona non grata in our municipal hall for tweeting against the mayor and because of live-tweeting the council session.
But slowly, I realized that tweeting, ranting and raving about my frustrations with the government may not be effective enough. That's when I've decided to join the government thinking that pushing for my advocacies might be more effective if I try to change things from within.
I ran as a Barangay Councilor with the following goals: (1) try to change the system (2) prove that one need not to cheat to win (3) prove that money does not equate to winning and (4) prove that young people can be driving forces of community development.
With platforms shaped well by my conversations with the people and with my energy and idealism overflowing, I won a seat in the council. I spent Php.20,000.00, mostly for food for volunteers and some paraphernalia that helped me cover the 32 puroks of our barangay.
I 've already ticked numbers 2 and 3 on my list of goals.
Some First Year Realizations
After a year of being inside the system, I must say that to try to change things from within might be a goal of a lunatic. Imagine a young, idealistic and passionate individual trying to convince an old man, who's been smoking almost all his life, to stop smoking and that smoking is bad for his health. You know that you might just get into a fight or a senseless argument.
And so I changed my strategy, from changing to influencing.
Influencing fellow public servants
One of the initial public events I've attended is the wreath laying ceremony during Rizal Day. I was informed that the call time was at 6AM. I arrived a few minutes early and was surprised that government employees were just setting up. No other public officials were at the venue yet.
It was past 6am and the program hasn't started. Public officials were still not around. The program started at around 7:30am, when finally our public servants arrived.
I never wanted this to happen again, so when I organized a tree planting activity to launch the barangay's greening program, I asked our employees and our barangay officials to be at the venue on time, or better yet, ahead of time.
We were there at 6AM as planned. It was 8:30 and we haven't started planting because our guests from the municipal and provincial government were not there yet. I argued with fellow barangay officials and told them that the trees would have lower survival rate if we plant them when it's already too hot.
I insisted and so we started planting. We have to stop though in the middle to still give way to the messages of our guest public officials.
Throughout time, our barangay has now built our reputation for always being punctual.
It's a start.
Influencing people
What I discovered as most powerful is influencing people, which I think could also be the best approach in influencing more government officials. Sometimes, public officials act with too much self-entitlement because the people treat them like gods and goddesses. Once it gets into their heads, that's when they begin to think like VIPs.
I will always tell our ka-barangays that we are merely their representatives. We do not decide on our own, but we base our decisions on their opinions and on what they need-- that in fact, they are more powerful than we are.
During the first public hearing that I've presided, I faced 5 groups of Tricycle Drivers' Associations from Floodway area. For the longest time, they had been having problems with their terminal, the unruly talipapa vendors and the illegal operators.
I wore my facilitator's hat and just started to ask questions. In the end, I was able to let them realize that they actually have the power to address the problems that surround them-- that the solutions are with them.
Once each citizens realize this power that they have, I can imagine how we can all drastically influence the government.
This thought continues to excite me.
Influencing culture
A prerequisite to the first two is influencing culture. As I review the Kartilya ng Barangay, I saw that one of the most important roles of the barangay is to develop and protect its culture. Thus, we continue to celebrate festivities and conduct programs that showcase the rich culture and heritage that we have.
My challenge right now is to influence a culture of caring.
In most of our barangay sessions, we would usually tackle a wide array of issues--petty neighborhood fights, responsible pet ownership, violence on women and children and drugs. After each session, I would keep asking myself, why do most people in the barangay seem not to care about the issues that surround our community? How can one household just throw their garbage on the streets?
I started to imagine what could happen if things aren't like that. Imagine if all the 101,000 residents of the barangay would start caring. Imagine if we would all start to think of things that would benefit the many and not just ourselves our our families.
Then we would all be more understanding of our neighbors and won't do things that may harm others; husbands will be more loving of their wife and kids; pet owners would be more responsible and those who have means would be more helpful to those who are in desperate need.
Just like my other struggles, this may not be easy and I have to admit that I haven't started any concrete project to influence this behavior yet, but I'm thinking of making this a primary focus for next year.
Ideas are most welcome!
The Challenge
Call me idealistic and crazy for being so ambitious to be wanting to influence systems and old structures, but I refuse to stop believing. Restoring the dignity of our government structures lies in us believing that it is possible.
Who else could believe into something that seems impossible, but the Millennials? We multi-task, we are well connected and more innovative. When we say we are passionate, we mean it.
We have the energy, the dynamism and the courage to challenge existing paradigms. We are idealistic, more creative and passionate. I encourage you, the young, to run for public office or to work for the government. Our government needs us.
We have to start shaping the future that we want for our communities and for our country and I hope you can all help me tick-off # 4 on the list of my goals.
Cheers to first year and beyond!
