Too much ado about “ayuda”

In times of crises, it’s conceded that the government should save the people from starvation and assist them in their extreme need. But, we need to remember that the resources of government aren’t limitless. In times of lockdown and quarantines, yes, it is understandable that food should be given to the people. But this amelioration cannot be forever. It is not forever. The people should help themselves.

If the people in the urban centers, especially informal settlers, are without jobs and are not employable, they should start packing up and go home to the rural areas. They are, I am sorry to say, causing congestion in the overcrowded cities, and exacerbating the social, economic, and health problems. If they are in the provinces, they can plant crops and vegetables and be saved from the stinking and pest-laden surroundings. I have nothing against poor people. I was one of them in my younger years. It is not their fault if they were born poor. But if they remain destitute after reaching adulthood and even senior years, then they should accept personal responsibility for their own fate. We cannot blame others forever.

“Ayuda” is a stop-gap measure, a temporary relief, a bridge to salvation from hunger. But “ayuda” is not forever either.s People cannot remain dependent indefinitely. They cannot remain burdens to the others who are paying taxes. The ones who are given “ayuda” are not paying income taxes. On the other hand, the taxpayers, the over-burdened middle class, who are overworked, underpaid, and self-reliant, are the ones who are disqualified from receiving “ayuda”, even when they are on a “no work, no pay” predicament. This is the greatest social injustice. The middle class is carrying the burdens to provide “ayuda” to many people who are mostly lazy, but always complaining and demanding for more help.

Every Filipino has a duty to work. Isko Moreno used to scavenge for garbage in Tondo. He is now mayor of Manila. Manny Pacquiao used to be a construction worker, and a vendor of pan de sal. Now, he is the richest senator. Manny Villar was a son of a fish vendor in Divisoria. Now, he is a multi-billionaire. Noy Pabling Garcia used to walk from Bitoon to the poblacion of Dumanjug to study both in elementary and in junior high school, as well as to serve as an altar boy in the church. Now he is a rich man, father of the GSIS chairman, as well as the governor, congressman, mayor, and grandfather of another mayor. Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. was a barefoot boy from Colawin, Argao. He became assemblyman, COMELEC chairman, delegate to two constitutional conventions, chief justice, and ambassador to the UN, and father to a former governor, now the vice governor.

You need not be poor forever. You can change your life. You have the brains, the heart and the hands. Those hands are not only to receive “ayuda”, but to struggle hard, and change your life. I know whereof I speak. I was a squatter in B. Rodriguez, a school janitor in SWU, a working scholar in UV. Today, I am not a burden to society. I help the government. I do not accept “ayuda”. And all of you can do it too. No ifs, no buts.