Vignettes from my life as a public servant

FROM THE MARGINS

Working for the public good, whether as a private citizen or as a civil servant, is just two sides of the same coin. It is all about serving the people. I am often introduced as a microfinance expert and financial inclusion advocate, but years ago, I was just a humble public servant. I served with several government agencies and have fond memories of working with the bureaucracy.  My career with government, the private sector and international development agencies is par for the course for a poverty eradication advocate.

Working with the marginalized

My first foray in government was through the Department of Agriculture (DA), particularly the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), where I helped develop agricultural credit policies and financial services for the poor. Eventually, I became a deputy executive director and in my first provincial visits, I was surprised to be treated as a VIP. Greeted with garlands by a retinue of field officers, I was abashed to see tarpaulins in the airport announcing my arrival. Once, I was even feted with my favorite dishes, and told that the staff had to research on it!  It was both exhilarating and uncomfortable for a simple man like me, but I learned to take it in stride, understanding that making visitors feel welcome is part of our culture. I am just grateful for those good memories. I moved to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) during the Ramos administration. As assistant secretary for support services, I developed programs to help agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) make their lands productive. It was very challenging because agrarian reform was (is) a highly political program. I experienced rallies left and right, and dealt with interest groups pushing different agendas.  Working with many stakeholders – tenants, ARBs, landowners, real estate developers, legislators, power brokers, and others — was a complex balancing act. Any concession you make will reverberate through the sector, encouraging more demands.  Then there were people who approached me for projects, surreptitiously leaving gifts on my table. Holding back my annoyance at their arrogance and cluelessness about my character, I had to muster self-control in graciously refusing such offers. In 2002, I returned to government as Undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the Arroyo administration. This was my favorite government engagement, since it gave me an opportunity to pursue community development at an unprecedented scale. Working with the most vulnerable sectors was physically and emotionally taxing, but the caring and dedicated social workers of DSWD made the job easy.

Unforgettable

I admit that I joined DSWD mainly due to the prodding of friends and former DAR colleagues, who wanted me to help then Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman operationalize the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) program. I remember Cliff Burkley, who preceded me as Undersecretary for Operations, promising me an opportunity to judge a beauty contest. I had a good laugh when it turned out to be a beauty contest among DSWD retirees and the elderly!  But I cherish that memory because of the hope and laughter I shared with them at that time. At DSWD, I managed KALAHI, a community-driven development program that was the centerpiece of the government’s efforts in poverty alleviation. On top of overseeing KALAHI and other regular programs, introducing institutional reforms and raising funds from development agencies, I also handled disaster relief and crisis management. I could never forget Pikit, North Cotabato, where I saw first-hand communities fleeing to avoid the cross-fire between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The conflict lasted for weeks, displacing thousands of families. We organized evacuation shelters, provided food packs and counseling to those affected. The children were traumatized, and it was heartbreaking. Being the man on the ground, I had to report to the President on the status of the refugees. I rode an armored tank to visit the battle zone. I remember that one or two mothers gave birth while in the evacuation centers. I was told later that one of those babies had been named after me, although I had no opportunity to confirm this.

Unsung heroes

There was no such thing as office hours or holidays for the DSWD operations group. We were on call 24/7, ensuring that we will be the first responders in times of calamities. My stay with the department was brief but I had the good fortune to work with good people and I witnessed the bravery and dedication of many unsung heroes in DSWD. Working in government entailed many sacrifices. I lost opportunities and experienced financial setbacks, but the greatest cost was the time spent away from my family.  Still, being a civil servant has enriched me in a myriad of ways. Working side by side with colleagues wanting to make a difference, I took to heart what Mother Teresa once said: “Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.” *(Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of 23 organizations that provide social development services to eight million economically-disadvantaged Filipinos and insure more than 27 million nationwide.)*