UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
A historic event happened on Aug. 24, 2023, when over a hundred mayors from all over the Philippines signed a pledge for good governance in the University of the Philippines Diliman, itself a hotbed of change. This was spearheaded by Mayors Benjamin Magalong (Baguio), Joy Belmonte (Quezon City), Marcy Teodoro (Marikina), Rommel Arnado (Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte), Sitti Hataman (Isabela, Basilan), and Felipe Romollo (Dumaguete). Other Metro Manila mayor-signatories were Ruffy Biazon (Muntinglupa), John Rey Tiangco (Navotas), and Vico Sotto (Pasig).
This is an unprecedented development, since our nation has been rocked time and again by reports of rampant corruption and dynasticism on both the national and local levels. Many of these mayors have a proven track record of fighting corruption, which has become ingrained in our government, even more so nowadays when confidential funds do not reassure that our tax money is being spent properly.
Their manifesto committed to a “comprehensive blueprint” to guide their actions during their terms. But we definitely need to support these intrepid souls who are willing to fight for an almost “impossible dream.”
For starters, we would like to see them appoint a “citizen watchdog,” to whom ordinary citizens can relay their complaints of corruption without fear of retribution. That way, there will be anonymity and safety for whistleblowers.
Since they recognize the importance of citizen participation and empowerment, this is the time to step forward in the spirit of volunteerism and help in any way we can to achieve the aims of “integrity and transparency in all aspects of governance,” and to hold public servants, elected or appointed, to the highest standards of honesty and accountability.
How about we hold a series of consultative/strategic planning meetings to thresh out the nitty-gritty of the comprehensive blueprint into an action plan that is both achievable and citizen-driven? This should be participatory democracy at its best, since the manifesto calls for actively seeking “collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders.”
One item first and foremost is the reduction, if not elimination, of bureaucratic red tape, which breeds widespread corruption at the lowest levels of the bureaucracy. It is reassuring that they will “embrace innovation and modern technology to improve governance and public services.” The less the personal contact with the bureaucrats, the less the opportunities for petty corruption, which drains the coffers of our less-fortunate countrymen, often the victims of such municipal or city hall shenanigans.
As for “upholding the rule of law and respecting the rights and liberties of all citizens,” it is time to purge the local police forces of scalawags in uniform and ensure no innocent lives are lost at the hands of law enforcers.
Unfortunately, after the headlines that day, the civic organizations and volunteer groups that sprang up during the previous election campaign have not shown any degree of excitement and volunteerism for this development. We may not have effected change on the national level, but this is the chance to work for genuine change at the grassroots level, where democracy really starts. How about it, folks?
For the health professionals, let us support and strengthen the primary health care services of our towns and cities, knowing how poorly organized and staffed most of them are.
Let us help the nutrition program succeed so we will have a new generation with properly-developed brains to get us out of our perennial bottom-dweller status in world educational rankings. We might even have enough critical thinkers who will not fall for the rampant disinformation we have all around us.
Let’s volunteer to promote vaccination campaigns and even perform the actual vaccinations. We need to boost our HIV and TB awareness campaigns, and review and refresh stale programs that don’t improve our statistics.
There are so many ways we can help and not just rely on the health authorities alone. A healthy population means less work and school hours lost; less hospital admissions and thus, reduced health costs; and increased longevity and productivity to boost our flagging economy.
For other people, there are numerous ways to work on a volunteer basis. It need not be a full-time commitment, but whatever time you can share will have an impact if multiplied thousands or millions of times.
It is a vision we have always dreamed of, and for those brief shining moments during the pink campaign, we had glimpsed what a beautiful future we could have had, if our candidate had been elected. Nonetheless, now we can help achieve that vision, step by step, town by town, and city by city. Before you know it, that prize will be ours. Let’s go full steam ahead!