2 honorable mentions

With all the “big” stories popping up, little attention has been given to a noteworthy project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development which recently launched its “Summer Jobs” program for young individuals or new graduates who would rather work for a month or two instead of making “tambay.”

I can understand that the media would be skeptic if not downright suspicious of the program since short term jobs have time and again been used as a political tool to improve or increase popularity ratings or in preparation for elections.

To be honest, I have no idea who is directly responsible for the summer jobs concept but in good faith, I applaud the DSWD for launching a program that should be copied by other departments and even private companies for many reasons.

First of all the summer jobs program as explained by a DSWD official on radio, will be an entry level exposure for young people to discover what it’s like to work in government. At a time when many white-collar professionals are being laid off, people are discovering that in times of economic crisis, government jobs offer the highest level of “job security.”

When martial law was declared and my father could not find gainful employment for almost a decade, my Mom Marita Beltran worked as an employee of the Social Security System, or the SSS until her retirement. Her government job helped put food on the table and made a difference for us to be able to keep our family home that was heavily mortgaged.

The second good thing about the summer jobs program is that it gives hope and activity to young people who have invested time, effort and family resources in order to get an education with the goal of getting a job. If the program were implemented in “government and countrywide,” it would validate the importance of education and the people’s hope for employment.

At the same time, it creates a scenario where the participants or recipients would become models of “success” within their community instead of being “kanto boys” or street characters.

If there is one reason why I give my full endorsement to the DSWD program, it is because of a “Catch-22” situation in the jobs market that victimizes fresh graduates or first time job applicants.

Oftentimes, employers will post or advertise openings with the condition: “Experience required.” How can you expect a fresh graduate to have experience? These recruiters are simply copying from the system of western countries without realizing the origin or the mechanics of the idea. Western countries, specifically the United States, have a long history of providing summer jobs not for purposes of finding “cheap” labor, but in their cultural appreciation of the need to train up their children or young adults to be productive, aware, and most of all gain experience for the future.

From the traditional lemonade stand, newspaper route, all the way to working as crew at fastfood chains or car wash, it is a long process of building up experience and competence. In the Philippines, employers simply demand the experience but never participated or provided the means or opportunity to build up experience.

Now we have an institution that will hopefully promote and institutionalize the means for young people to actually have some experience, limited as it may be. If President Noynoy wants to leave a real legacy, then he should expand what the DSWD has initiated so that we can raise productive young adults. To the DSWD: Congratulations!

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After writing about the road expansion project in Lipa City, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from Congressman Dong Mendoza early in the day. Some of our readers may recall that I wrote about Congressman Mendoza as the one who helped us save the life of a young girl who was a victim of a “hit and run.” Thanks to him, the young girl went through a cranial surgery and hospitalization for free.

As I discovered, the road expansion and sewage upgrade that I mentioned was within his district. Dong Mendoza immediately organized a meeting with the District engineer in order to enlighten me about the situation. Engineer Nestor Cleofas who in turn patiently explained that they utilize concrete pipes instead of flip top covered canals because it reduces the stench or odor of canals especially on a long commercial strip such as the national highway.

As far as the absence of a standard road height, Engr. Cleofas explained that this is a consequence of urban development. Historically many places start out as towns where businesses chose to set up shop as near as possible to the highway or the main road. As development sets in, the DPWH comes in to expand highways based on an established location and road width. As a result, people ultimately need to push back into their original property. Unfortunately this gives the misimpression that the road expansion is eating into private property when in fact, it is the reverse.

When I asked why it was necessary to expand the old highway when there is already the Star toll, Congressman Mendoza explained that government must always provide an alternative for those who cannot afford the toll fees because of multiple trips between towns. He also pointed out that within 10 to 20 years we can expect traffic to more than double due to interconnection, tourism, commerce and migration. It would be reckless to act only when the problem already exists.

Besides hosting the meeting, Cong. Mendoza actually asked us to show him the little barangay that has long been in need of help. As a result of the visit, the crater filled mud road will initially be “gradered” and eventually improved. Now the Mountain Bike enthusiasts want my head! Thank you to Congressman Dong Mendoza for his prompt action. 

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