It is common knowledge that our country was again whipped by a storm, Super Typhoon Rai, locally known as Odette, which resulted to outrageous destruction in the Caraga region, specifically in Surigao del Norte and the Dinagat Islands, and in nearby provinces such as Cebu and Bohol.
Prior to its actual touchdown, weather forecasts clearly tagged Odette as a super typhoon and protective measures were strongly advised and in placed. There were mass evacuations and relief efforts happened as quickly as the typhoon made landfall.
Still, not only did the typhoon cause severe damage to the homes of many of our fellow Filipinos, it also disrupted public utilities such as electricity and water.
Here in Dumaguete, it wasn’t that strong, but there was also destruction. In some parts of Negros Oriental, lives were lost, a number of people were missing, and damage to property was also high. The loss of electricity for days was the most dreadful impact felt by Dumaguetnons and in a number of towns and cities in the province.
Both public and private sectors begun relief operations and the government declared a state of calamity in affected areas.
The international community also stepped in to provide relief and aid. Obviously, the valiant efforts of everyone taking part in the relief drive are always recognized and acknowledged and all of us must remain grateful.
However, this is also the culture of the dole-out and it comes in many forms – ayuda, grants, aid, tulong, etc. They all mean the same thing. The culture of “helping” in this country is so embedded in us, the same way, as the culture of receiving help is.
Unfortunately, though, the power of this dole-out culture can be seen in the dependence of people on the government, or on politicians and organizations, who they think can help lighten and improve their status in life.
How many individuals have we seen share their personal bank account information online to help those in need but not see the results? No one is policing this as it essentially is based on the honesty system.
In addition, we see people working in silos or within their own bubbles for relief efforts, which may also be taken advantage of given that there are no proper auditing practices in place.
In 2017, many experts said that the dole-out system threatened the farm sector, that news report from Business Mirror was referring to the Conditional Cash-Transfer Program, now known as the 4Ps, or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
According to Dr. Rene Ofreneo, former Labor undersecretary and dean of the UP School of Labor & Industrial Relations, the cash dole-outs being given by the government are driving farmers out of the agriculture sector, as they choose to be dependent on the financial assistance rather than engage in costly farming with low returns.
Today, we still have the dole-outs. But I’m thinking, isn’t it better if the government empowers people more than just give them “fish for a day”? I think providing people with livelihood skills, training for behavioral change, and providing them with good social services are way better than just giving money. Doesn’t the Bible say, “If you give a man a fish, he will be hungry tomorrow. If you teach a man to fish, he will be richer forever”?
What if the source of dole-outs gets consumed, are people just going to wait for the new “limos”?
In economic terms, dole outs can be categorized as a system of wealth distribution carried out by the government aiming to provide provisional financial respite to its constituents. The hope in this is that the channeled money would whip up consumption of goods and services, thus stimulating the entire economy.
Leftist political figures and left-leaning advocates would articulate that wealth distribution is a system of endorsing social justice, while Catholics and other Christian denominations would expound on this that the quality of kindness is being manifested in wealth distribution.
However, when we consider the inefficiency and unproductive these dole-outs are, it can be said that it is a waste of taxpayers’ resources. Dole outs are mere band-aid solutions that are never meant to last. Distributing wealth does not generate wealth and, instead, diminishes its intrinsic value.
With calls for more effort about wealth distribution getting louder and stronger, the electorate should never fall victim to these lop-sided and misleading political promises that cause more damage than what is initially envisioned.
People, especially the voters, must be resistant against the enticements of these “money-backed political lures” lest that would be our downfall as a City, and as a country of helpless mendicants. Or shall we say, makililimos.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
