What is fair and just

It’s no secret that 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. There isn’t a single person exempt from the effects of the global pandemic, and so much more that has challenged even basic survival in the past six months. While others are more cushioned by their wealth and privilege there are far too many that are struggling to just get by. I, remember during the ECQ someone said that we are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm, but our boats are all very different. Some are luxury yachts, while others are small life rafts barely staying afloat.

After the initial impact hit and several people lost jobs and businesses were going bankrupt and shutting down, there was an urgent call to help uplift one another. People were reminding each other to support local and put their hard-earned money back in the local businesses to help stimulate the economy and get us back on track.

Essentially we were all on survival mode, just trying to make it through. In that aspect, we thought that we should rely on one another to extend a helping hand. If you had to buy food, why not buy, from a local seller? If you need clothes, buy them from local manufacturers and so on. We assumed that as we were all suffering together, we must all have the same mindset – save money whenever possible and help one another.

Unfortunately, that spirit of bayanihan is beautiful on paper, but doesn’t always translate well – if at all – in real life. While there were so many doing their part to help, there were others who took advantage of the situation. Some hoarded important items to jack up the prices. Others were hijacking charity efforts for nefarious purposes. Some were quick to anger at small businesses working with a skeleton crew because of very small mistakes. These instances were disheartening.

Recently a story came out about restaurateurs banding together to ask for changes to the benefits systems for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and even senior citizens. It seems that some people are abusing the system and some even using fake credentials for discounts. There was a story about a wealthy family who ordered take out and had their driver pick up the meal, bringing along with him six PWD IDs and requesting for discounts on everything. Every single member of one family had a PWD card? Seems a bit of a stretch to me or, at the very least, a tragic twist of fate.

This shed light on the ongoing struggle some businesses are having due to fake PWD credentials or even people abusing their privileges. Many might think it’s not a big deal and that no one is getting hurt by them getting a discount on their meals, not having to line up, or being able to park easily. However, in actuality, there are people at the short end of the stick when those with fake PWD cards or those that don’t necessarily need the privileges, abuse them.

For one, the disbursement of PWD identification in the country is already rather skewed. There are so many persons with disabilities that are not able to get PWD cards because they did not have connections on the inside, while others use these connections to get cards simply for better parking, discounts at expensive restaurants, and the like. Truly deserving differently-abled individuals are denied the privileges they need.

Even if every PWD can get a card, those that abuse the system still cause harm to everyone else. Understandably restaurants and establishments that must provide a discount tend to wary of large groups all presenting cards. Thus, such establishments sometimes adjust their prices accordingly to cover the discount. That makes it more expensive for everyone else. It’s because the discount given is not shouldered by the government, but by the establishments. Perhaps if tax exemptions or incentives are given to establishments that offer these discounts are available it would be better, but as is it is the companies have to cover the cost and they aren’t in a position to do so right now.

Not to mention jumping the line or taking that parking space right next to the entrance is convenient for some, but can sometimes rob those that really need it – those that can’t walk or are bound to a wheelchairs may often find themselves without a place to park because others that are upwardly mobile have taken the space. I don’t discount for one second that there are patients with mental issues that need PWD cards because they will likely be on medication for their entire lives. Discounts on maintenance meds and physician fees are completely understandable. Discernment I guess is what matters when deciding on using these privileges for other things they might not need too.

In the end, I believe it’s important to keep our minds focused on what is right and just. It is absolutely right that PWDs and senior citizens are given the concessions they deserve. Hopefully, abuses stop so that the system is fair and no one is excluded. At the same time, those who have PWD cards should consider when they need to use them and those that disburse these cards should give them only to those who truly deserve them.

2020 has already been hard enough. Let’s move forward into a better normal not just a new normal. If we all work together and uplift, one another, I truly believe we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.