What will you do if someone told you:
"You have to accept it. That's why people use fake IDs because of hardships! You don't know how tough it is out there lady!"
An applicant filing up an assistance form
I have been assigned to process applications for financial assistance from the Marawi City crisis. The city have been invaded by the Maute Terrorist group and thousands of families have fled their homes and staying in evacuation centers.
Applicants waiting in line to receive their cash assistance
Of course you can't blame people for asking help especially when it comes to financial matters but our agency has guidelines on which documents to accept. Each release has to be audited and properly documented. But these people have no homes to return to yet. Evacuation centers do not provide the adequate living conditions. The city is in shambles and rehabilitation is still a long way to go. They have little or no income at all and depend on the donations and relief operations. So they'll avail every cash assistance or opportunity they can get.
Another man, a police officer in Marawi City angrily reacted to the delay in processing and this is what he told me:
"You have to give us the money, my family is starving! I have six children to feed, I am on the brink of robbing someone just to support my family!"
The average pile of applications we receive each day, not all are qualified because they cannot establish valid residency
The delay was caused because the officer submitted a blurred copy of his birth certificate. He wasn't able to produce the original one.
An applicant ready to receive her cash, she submitted complete and verifiable documents.
Those who weren't able to comply before the cut-off date of application were terribly disappointed. The guy who came late made a snide remark:
"You know where we have been? We're late because we've been busy collecting bombs for your office!"
I could've reacted and reported him to the authorities for making that "bomb" remark because it is forbidden especially in a government office but I let it slide because I was too busy entertaining another client. Sometimes you just have to keep things cool and not contribute to the tension because arguing will lead you nowhere.
Now I am just an ordinary employee and I don't call the shots. Much as I want to accept and give them financial help right away, I'm still bounded to follow the rules and regulations. If my boss says jump, I'd still say "How high?" but I am still on the right side. Most people were able to comply with the documents and there were no problems encountered at all, some were even polite and thankful for the little help. I sympathize with what they have gone through, their plight is unfortunate indeed but I have to be firm yet gentle to say NO if they're not qualified. It's tough to be in my position right now.
But is it necessary to do evil just because you're in a difficult predicament? The desperation, stress and frustration would trigger a person to do vile things. Human as we are, some mistakes are unavoidable just to survive. But if one still has a choice, and there are several options, asking for help is the first thing to do. One should also work hard, have the initiative to find ways and not just depend on the government to help you with all of your needs. A high degree of entitlement can do nothing for you. Instead it could create indifference, laziness and isolation. We should be inspired by John F. Kennedy's quote :
"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
I respectfully and carefully explained to the man who produced fake IDs that we should always practice integrity in all that we do. We are a government office: honesty, fairness, transparency should be upheld at all times. Life is hard, but it's best to live life in which our conscience is free. Our moral compass should always be our guide and we should exercise the principles of good behavior, values and conduct. I hope he was able to understand because he fell silent and walked away.
Even just a little, I'm grateful that government programs are finding ways to cater to my affected countrymen. I hope they will be able to go home soon, I pray that whatever belongings they have lost, someday God will reward them with more.
