PAGBABAGO

I think that many would agree that the average Filipino is suffering from a feeling of not being well. I Googled and discovered the term “malaise,” defined as “uneasiness,” or a “state where one senses that there is something wrong with a society or group, for which there does not seem to be a quick or easy solution.”

Some may experience fatigue, a common cold, or muscle pain. In medical terms, it is a feeling of discomfort because of stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, infection, or allergy. On more serious causes like an injury, disease, or trauma. 

But I believe the malaise that had affected many of us is due  to  social-psychological factors.  It is a state that often follows continuing experience of being frustrated, helpless, purposeless,  being inutile, and  unable to see  tangible results of an action. 

Once upon a time, this Pinoy was full of dreams and ambition for himself,  for his friends, for his community and his country.  He was an active participant in the life of his community and one of the leaders of  environmental groups like Eco Waste and Zero Waste management campaigns. He and his family practiced waste segregation together with his friends in the neighborhood but after awhile, he discovered that the rest in the community continued with old practices.  He saw a similar pattern in the way in his local government and the national government. While the past election promised changes in governance, in transparency, reach, and effectiveness in the delivery of services, he soon discovered that there has not been much change. 

Before it is too late, let us do something before this disease would spread like a pandemic. Let this be a challenge to the voter in this coming barangay election. The change can start from below.  By electing the barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials who can bring about the change we are talking about  — restore  credibility of leaders through transparency and accountability  in governance, service to  the majority, as well as  demonstrating through action that it is possible to bring about meaningful change. They could be one source of hope. It is a large group when you consider a total of  672,016 positions ranging from members of the Sangguniang Barangay (SB)  to barangay captains, and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates or a total of 1,414,487 aspirants. The number can make a difference if they work together towards improving governance. 

Much can be accomplished in implementing the Local Government Code and lobbying for amendments that would enable them to meet new challenges. With sufficient funding today, they can address some of their current deficits — lack of adequate technical capacities, inadequate citizen participation,  lack of funding and personnel for  healthcare, education, and social services. With additional resources, they now would be able to carry out programs that would address our  environmental concerns and climate change. 
Hopefully, they can serve as the bottom-up catalyst that would awaken us from this stupor or inertia  that had affected many of us over the years. ([email protected])