By: Manny Valdehuesa
If a person’s home is
said to be his castle, a citizen’s community is the bastion of his
freedom and way of living; in both cases, one must be solicitous and
protective.
Given the infirmities of our political system, the least we citizens
can do is secure the arrangements in our respective communities and try
to influence events and processes in constructive ways in order to
exemplify civilized and harmonious living.
We should foster a sense of community by relating to one another in
neighborly ways, holding more meetings of the Barangay Assembly,
addressing more thoroughly our local concerns, and work to promote
harmony and solidarity.
The Barangay Assembly, composed as it is of all adult residents, can
be a powerful forum for reforms and a culture medium for orderly change.
It involves the entire community, so it is the ideal venue for bringing
its diverse sectors together.
As an all-inclusive forum and decision-making body, it can also serve
to process issues and expand understanding in the minds and hearts of
everyone.
*****
But very rarely do barangays engage in open, candid, or free
discussions; so there is no leveling of attitudes, values, or opinions;
no cross-fertilization of insights or ideas about policies, priorities,
or programs. There ought to be wide understanding, broad agreement, or
express cooperation among neighbors.
Citizen participation in community-wide deliberations should
condition local governing approaches and styles. Such social and
political participation render people less susceptible to the wiles of
traditional politics and its corrupting influences.
It is also in the course of participatory processes that people
influence one another, leading to mutual agreement, understanding, and
cooperation. Such processes are especially important in a community that
is home to multi-sectoral, multi-ethnic citizens.
We need not convert or persuade one another; but we do need to open
our eyes to our different views and lifestyles. Persuasion need not be
an overt purpose; but it can just happen in indirect or subtle means.
Even simply voicing an opinion carries influence. One’s presence alone
can be a positive influence.
*****
Expressing a positive opinion about someone is an indirect way of
endorsing him or her for serious consideration, while complaining about
the policies or principles of another is a subtle way of discouraging
others from endorsing or supporting him.
There ought to be frequent discussions on policies and public affairs
in our community. Democracy would mature faster if people are used to
open discussions, group petitions, and shared resolutions on matters of
mutual interest.
Such petitions and resolution have great impact on the upper levels
of the political system in ways that few are aware of, in unseen or even
devastating ways.
It’s important to keep in mind that it is unlawful for barangay
officials to engage in partisan politics. As the ground-level
implementers of the strategy of political party campaigns, it is they
who make it possible for party candidates, regardless of background or
competence, to win the community’s votes. To engage them in
conversation, to monitor possible violations in thought or conduct, is
healthy for social interaction and community development.
*****
Absence of interaction within the community renders its members
susceptible to manipulation and external influence. It is why
party-sponsored candidates generally have an edge in winning a
community’s vote, especially if no significant contrary voices are
raised from the neighborhoods. That’s why it is important to attend
community meetings, to prevent untoward influences to dominate.
As the basic unit of our Republic, its building block, it is
important for the barangay government to conduct itself in accordance
with law.
Wayward barangays and badly-performing barangay leaders are bad for
our Republic’s stability and integrity. They are easily infiltrated by
insurgents, their officials easily fooled into supporting Communists who
pretend to champion the causes of the poor.
Today, according to intelligence estimates, as much as one-fourth of
our barangays are influenced by the Communist New People’s Army, with no
data on others under the sway of terrorist enclaves in Mindanao.
*****
It’s what happens when barangay officials are readily manipulated by
people with dubious loyalty to the Republic or when big traditional
politicians (trapos!) bribe local officials to do their bidding.
Just like any foundation—for an edifice, an institution, or any
social structure—the base is an essential determinant of stability and
endurance. A building with an unsteady base cannot withstand
earthquakes or gale-storms. An institution—like a school with a weak
curriculum and mediocre faculty—won’t endure for long.
So is it with a democratic republic; it needs a durable base consisting of a citizenry with unshakeable political will.
By this is meant a constituency consisting of caring, engaged, and
informed citizens: caring about its wellbeing, engaged in its governing
processes, informed of its affairs, and alert in protecting it against
negative influences. Tend to your barangay! Attend your Barangay
Assembly On October 12! (Source: MindaNews, Oct. 1, 2014.)
Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific;
secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director,
development academy of Philippines; vice chair, Local Government
Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; and PPI-UNICEF awardee, most
outstanding columnist. Today he is President, Gising Barangay Movement
Inc valdehuesa@gmail.com
