Now that the elections are over, liven things up (5)

Manny Valdehuesa .

IT is time to mobilize one’s community towards the realization of its goals—a task calling for the activation of all sectors in order to bring about the full play of talent, experience, and effort for the community’s development and progress.

But this presumes that the community has in fact defined its goals and expressed them as objectives—essential tasks that practically no barangay bothers to do, which is a great pity because goals and objectives are essential as “road maps” towards progress.

Without goals and objectives, a community’s development can cannot advance; it can only stagnate. All sorts of activities may take place but they won’t necessarily constitute progress. Running around in circles is an activity; but it leads nowhere. And that’s basically what has been happening in barangays. They rely on initiatives dictated from above for their development.

It is not enough that barangays elect officials for various positions. They must see to it that those who are elected perform their mandates including the people’s empowerment and involvement in the governing process.

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It is also important that initiatives in the community are not confined to activities initiated by its officials only. The role of the constituents as partners in development must also be recognized.

Governing should not be a monopoly of people in power. As the saying goes: government is everybody’s business; if the people are not involved, they can’t expect good governance.

There should be room for citizen involvement, especially those who want to contribute their time, talent, or resources. Thus, volunteerism should be encouraged.

Not only is it a desirable civic program, it will light up community life as well as save on the costs of government operations. Providing avenues of service for the able, the willing, and the well-off in the neighborhoods is a win-win proposition.

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But, sad to say, the spirit and practice of volunteerism is not given due attention in barangays. They should promote, encourage, and adopt it as a development thrust.

Many citizens like to help, to give, or to share what they can—generous souls who feel the need to express their ideas, art, craft, technique, or good fortune. An avenue of service should be opened for them.

Service to community or fellowman is the hallmark of responsible, caring citizens. It is why there are civic clubs and service organizations in every society—Jaycees and Rotarians, Lions and Kiwanis, Eagles and Scouts, Coast Guard Auxiliaries, Gawad Kalinga, and so on.

Noted for services they offer to community and society in general, such groups should be encouraged further. They like to serve and to show concern for others, doing it for free, not for pay.

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Potential volunteers should be provided opportunities for their altruism or philanthropy. They shouldn’t have to go beyond their barangay to satisfy their communitarian ideals. As the local stakeholders, they deserve to be accommodated and supported.

Let there be room for their creativity, their enterprise, their vision, and their sense of mission. It costs the community little or nothing to make room for volunteers’ efforts and time; not a significant burden on the local budget.

Quite the contrary, they would augment the local government’s capacity to undertake projects that it would otherwise have to fund entirely.

In fact, wherever possible, volunteers should be drafted to replace those who insist on getting paid for service to their community!

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With that end in view, the barangay should take stock of the professionals, retired persons, housewives, and youth with time or special skills to share—and make room for them in its calendar of activities.

Their presence and their services would be invaluable for promoting the arts and crafts, fitness and sports, hobbies and livelihood courses. Making room for them and their activities will enliven community life, expand the residents’ horizons, and enhance local pride.

Ultimately, it will deepen the bonds between them (the volunteers) and the rest of the community. And it will raise local morale, the communitarian way of serving, and the spirit of patriotism.

As part of the stock-taking of local professionals in various fields, there should also be a survey of the cultural needs of the community. Does it have a library and reading center? It needs books, journals, magazines, reference materials and newspapers, not just commercial handouts and giveaways, complimentary stuff.

Is there a need for an information and research center for both youth and adults? It is important for intellectual and cultural development. Why not literacy and numeracy courses, or agro-industrial seminars? Lectures and demonstrations on technology and industrial skills are also useful.

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Local governments should sponsor activities that promote culture and refine manners such as driving habits and road courtesy for motorists and pedestrians.

And why only physical sports or song-and-dance concerts when there can also be intellectual and mentally challenging events? There could be chess, scrabble or Sudoku games, sewing circles, or artists’ corners and concerts.

One should also note how the excessive preoccupation with television and mass entertainment fare has been victimizing the grassroots. Too much of it bastardizes culture and intellectual refinement, making a mockery of formal education and Filipino values.

Every community should strive to offset the damage this causes by opening opportunities for useful hobbies and beneficial activities. (to be continued)

(Manny Valdehuesa Jr. is a former Unesco regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, Development Academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; awardee, PPI-Unicef outstanding columnist. He is chairman/convenor of the Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com)