Polibiz
Unsung heroes
The spirit of Christmas begins a week from now when more than a hundred thousand Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Day-Care Workers (DCWs) and Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPO) coming from different districts will flock the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for their annual honorarium.
The amount may not be that big but essentially significant to those who are in need considering our current economic situation.
These unsung heroes should be commended for their voluntary involvement in helping their constituents in healthcare and in time during occurrence of natural calamities in their respective barangays and communities.
This practice has been going even before and during the first term of incumbency of Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr. in the provincial government.
Realizing the sacrifices of these volunteer workers expecting nothing in return, Nong Niel went out of his way to somehow compensate their services at the end of the day. Thus in December of 2004 a supplementary budget setting aside some amount was allocated for them as honorarium in time for the holiday season in spirit of giving and sharing. Each volunteer was given P1,200.00; and received another, the following year but was increased to P1,400.00.
These same volunteer workers would be receiving another Christmas package next week but this time looked more attractive and compensating in the amount of P1, 800.00.
Nong Niel asked their respective municipalities to shoulder their fares to and from the capitol grounds as their way of sharing.
No matter how moderate the amount they would be receiving, somehow to most of them this could have gone a long way to compensate for their needs on the table to survive for a day or two.
Mothers tagging along their infants with them become a common sight in the capitol ground starting next week; even relatives and friends join the fun by giving them company as they consider the gift a manna from heaven.
Unknown to Manong Niel his Samaritan act becomes a rich source for political support. A single volunteer worker in a family would naturally encourage his or her relatives to give support to the man who keep them afloat in time of their financial distress even in just a fleeting moment.
No wonder some jealous political rivals of Nong Niel are raising a hell howl of protest putting malicious implications for the help extended to the volunteer workers.
It was too late for them to realize they could have done the same thing. If only they could bring back the glory of the past. It is a pity they'd lost a chance of a lifetime. Well what's the use of crying over spilled milk anyway?
For sure these volunteer workers know where their hearts belong when the times of reckoning come middle of next year. Filipinos traditionally value the importance of "debt of gratitude," a character inherent to us.
At a recent regular press conference with the governor, he told members of the Iloilo Capitol Press Corps it was his ardent wish to give the Barangay Health Workers, Day Care Workers and Barangay Service Point Officers whom he considers the unsung heroes of the province another increase in their honoraria next year.
Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr., strongly believes what the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Erratum: The late Atty. Sofronio "Ponyong" Mediodia Flores was elected municipal councilor in Oton in 1971 and never been a vice-mayor which I erroneously wrote in my last column.
(For your feedback: roblesnelson@yahoo.com)