A model project for the rural villages - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

When our policymakers talk of the budget deficit, they almost always express the need to raise taxes as a means of coping with the budgetary shortfall. Seldom, if ever, do they mention that the deficit can also be met, through a wiser and more austere use of government funds. For the sad and pathetic reality is that, right now, much of the revenues raised by the government are improperly spent, or go to waste because of either extravagance or insignificant activities, or are pocketed by corrupt government personnel.

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The failure, too, of government to exert an honest-to-goodness effort to remove red tape in the bureaucracy, or to make government operations more efficient, is another major factor behind the perennial budgetary deficit. How many millions of pesos are wasted everyday because of idle government personnel? And how big is the amount of government money that is virtually thrown away because of the existing red tape in government operations? The answer must be hundreds of millions of pesos.

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I can go on and on, listing down the many ways by which government funds are being wasted or thrown down the drain. Probably, our financial policymakers should now seriously consider this aspect of coping with the budgetary deficit, before they talk of raising more taxes or enacting new taxes, as a means of meeting the budgetary shortfall.

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Former Rep. Oscar "Ka Oca" Santos, who was one of the most socially-oriented members of the House of Representatives when we were both there in the 8th Congress, sent to me a "Galing Pook Awards" brochure, containing a very interesting award-winning program which Ka Oca is pursuing. This is the "Barangay Talyer" project, which originated in Marikina and won an award for the city and its Mayor Bayani F. Fernando. If this program could be replicated all over the Philippines, as Ka Oca suggested, it would mean a big boost to the task of uplifting the lives of the people.

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The brochure explains how "Barangay Talyer" works, and let me publish what the brochure says, as a model for other communities, especially in the rural areas, to follow:

Responsive programs emanate from simple but novel ideas that benefit the common man. One such great idea is Marikina’s Barangay Talyer (village repair shop), a communal shop where various tools for cutting, carpentry, drilling, gardening, measuring/layout, welding, striking, threading, wrenches and others are stored and used for free by barangay residents, particularly the marginalized ones and the youth.

The tools and wrenches can be used for house repairs and renovations, manufacture of simple household items like chairs, tables, cabinets, children’s toys, and sports equipment like basketball goal, swing, slide, pingpong table, and bicycle repairs. The tools cannot be used for repairs of vehicles, manufacture of guns, or other illegal activities.

A Talyer was successfully piloted in Barangay Tanong, Marikina in 1996. Triggered by the demands from other barangays, the city government replicated the program. Each barangay was provided with tool sets and equipment amounting to P200,000. The barangay council provided the construction of a 100 sq.m. shop costing from P50,000 to P200,000 and the needed personnel.

Barangay Talyer was open seven days a week. Some tools were borrowed and taken home, while others were used only with the premises. Supplies and expendable items were borne by the users. Any borrowed tool which was lost or destroyed was replaced by the borrower. The borrowed tools were returned within 8 hours or after use.

The barangay chairman acted as the manager, and a shopkeeper maintained a logbook to keep track of borrowed itemns as well as provide instructions on the proper handling of tools and equipment. Skills were taught on the use of tools and equipment.

The program benefitted the residents in terms of better upkeep and maintenance of their community. Access to the tools motivated the residents to undertake productive activities for increased savings. It also afforded residents some sense of order and beauty due to well maintained houses and surroundings as well as income supplement toward a better quality of life.

The project does not require a long gestation period due to its simplicity and immediate response to urgent needs for repairs, renovation and productive activities of residents, especially the youth. The program is one of the creative ways to keep the youth away from drugs, alcohol and other detrimental activities.

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It took almost a month before I received a letter dated August 31, sent to me by Bro. Noel Garcia, OMI, from his base in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, where he administers the high school called Notre Dame of Sibutu. In his letter, Bro. Noel expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to all the Good Samaritans who sent medicines and other forms of assistance, to enable him to conduct a health ministry among the people in Sibutu, most of whom are Muslim Filipinos belonging to the Samal tribe.

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According to Bro. Noel, the rainy season is about to come to Tawi-Tawi and Sibutu. "The sea condition is unpredictable. Sometimes, the weather is fine, but the waves are big. Our means of transportation is dependent on the weather conditions, which is why it is so hard to go out of Sibutu," he said, saying that the waves could be rough in the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

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Bro. Noel said that the security threats caused by the Abu Sayyaf problem have not deterred the Oblates missionaries and other Church workers from working for the people in Tawi-Tawi. "We are determined not to leave the people behind," he added. Bro. Noel said, though, that they are trying to be careful in their daily activities outside the convents and schools.

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PULSEBEAT: From October 5 to 8, Bicolano artisans, producers and exporters will be displaying their best products at the SM Megamall Exhibition Hall. The exhibition will showcase Bicolandia’s export-quality handcrafted products and food items. Be there at SM Megamall, with the 5 p.m. launching of "Orgullo kan Bikol" . . . It will also feature a Bicol Business Opportunity Conference . . . The PAREB-Quezon City Realtors Board is sponsoring an 8-day comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review at the Merced Bakeshop and Restaurant, at EDSA-Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, starting on October 10. For particulars, please contact Nen Monteverde at Tel. Nos. 415-6077 & 373-9551, or Rose Balaan of the QCRB Secretariat at 721-6884 and 448-6812 . . . Juanito Mallari, who was a neighbor of photojournalist Kevin Hamdorf in Pasig, wants to know how he can contact the expat. Probably, Mr. Mallari can easily locate Mr. Hamdorf at the Subic Freeport.

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Arturo A. Borjal’s e-mail address: [email protected]