Brothers and sisters, it is said in the book of Timothy 6:18, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
The past few weeks may not have been easy for many Filipinos because of the damage caused by succeeding typhoons, yet our spirit of unity and cooperation as Filipinos still prevailed. Many people remained unshaken by the current pandemic in order to address our fellowmen’s needs. Different private individuals and organizations took action and leadership in the organizing of donation drives, fundraising, and relief operations, even through the use of social media. There was also one PWD commended for giving financial help to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses from his savings, which came from alms.
Unity and camaraderie truly arise when we see suffering people amid crises and calamities. In the recent television reports, as sorrowful as the experience many of our fellowmen have endured, we saw that there were some victims who managed to wave their hands and smile even if floods submerged their homes and possessions. As someone said, “The Filipino spirit is waterproof.” Whenever a typhoon hits the Philippines, the resilient attitude of Filipinos is always praised. Now we are beginning to rebuild destroyed homes, to clean the streets, gather anything that can still be useful, and eventually will come back to normal. It seems that many of us got used to taking action and rising to the occasion without depending on any help from others, including the government.
While Filipinos are admired for being strong with good resolve in standing again after a calamity, this attitude stands out amid the lack of action by the government. In the Catholic social teaching Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII said that society will not improve if there aren’t any leaders that take action and work for the interests and welfare of their constituents. It is important for our leaders in government to recognize, respect, care for, and assert the rights of the citizens. And this is why it is not enough to place the responsibility to rebuild and stand up at the shoulders of the people every time we face calamities and crises like typhoons.
If being resilient means to endure inhumane situations and suffering; if calamities act as obstacles for the people to be made aware of injustice; and if this will be the reason for leaders to become complacent and just rely on the belief that the people severely affected will overcome their struggles, must we truly admire resiliency? Doesn’t this conceal the shortcomings of the institutions we trust to elevate the well-being of all?
If corruption, loss of justice, and the irresponsibility of the government become rampant, Filipinos will continue to suffer. Resilience isn’t enough for Filipinos victimized by crisis and calamity, if many elected leaders do not fulfill their duties.
As admirable as the spirit and positive disposition of the Filipino may be, the accountability of our leaders in government, from the highest to the lowest position, must not be set aside from our discussion. It is not right to use Filipino resiliency to cover up and compensate the lack of action from our leaders in government; leaders who have great responsibilities and duties to address the damage caused by calamities and help those they have sworn to serve.
Brothers and sisters, along with our cheers for the spirit of camaraderie and resiliency of the Filipinos, let us be vigilant toward our leaders, and demand from them to make an effort in the performance of their mandates. The need for us Filipinos to sacrifice our lives and livelihoods each time there is a calamity is not right. Our leaders in government must do their job to ease the pain among our people.
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