THE election is over. The “thank you” tarpaulins from elected officials have also been posted. It is time to do the work. It is time to serve the people.
Service is the real essence of being in the public office. There is too much tasks to fulfill and there is not much compensation. When a public official performs his/her duties and responsibilities because of his/her purpose to uplift the people’s lives, it is true service.
Service is using the position to reach out to people especially those who are marginalized and underprivileged. Projects and programs by the barangays should be piloted in favor of the poor.
Remember the saying; “Those who have less in life should have more in law.”
In the barangay level, since this can be called a community because residents almost know every one, the barangay officials should know who benefit more. Barangay chairpersons should know who is who. This is one basis for the formulation of projects.
Service is prioritizing the needs of the community. Public service is a demanding job. It asks much from the officials. It asks not only skills but time. Like any other job, it asks one to sacrifice his/her time.
Between family and the community, the priority should always be the community. This is what makes public service a noble job because of the sacrifices involved.
One hindrance of providing real service is individualism. Individualism is the idea of gaining for oneself. It is perilous for a barangay to elect a candidate who only thinks of himself/herself. This is the kind of person who will not act unless he/she gets something in return. He/she might initiate projects but only because these projects are beneficial to him/her or his/her family.
Service is about giving not receiving. The old wisdom it is better to give than to receive is the definition of service. It is the opposite of individualism. I have discussed in my previous article that electing an official is a matter of trust. People trust that these candidates will give something of themselves; their skills, talents, and time.
Service requires humility. One thing that leaders find it difficult to do once their get a taste of leadership is staying humble. One cannot serve without being grounded on the ground. The bible depicts Christ’s servant-leadership. He came to serve and not to be served. Servant-leadership is style of leadership where a leader is willing to listen to the people. He is not boastful because of his position. It is leading the people with the objective that the main goal of leading them is uplifting them.
Servant-leadership is embracing the role of Moses where he submitted himself to the will of the Almighty and putting his trust to Him alone. It is being a leader by serving the people.
A public servant has more power brought upon by his position. This power does not mean the power to dominate over others but more responsibilities to do. Another saying says, “Great power comes great responsibility.”
A public official now has the power to make decisions. He has power which projects or plans that need to be implemented. These are capabilities that are not given to most people. They are only given to few people such as public officials. This gives them power. Since they were entrusted to make these decisions, the bigger the responsibility they have in their hands.
Service means a public official is committed to perform his/her duties and responsibilities. Commitment knows no time. If the people needs help, as an official one must be willing to render service and help regardless of the time and danger. Service does not sleep. Anytime of the day or night, a resident may need help. Whenever that arises, an official must respond.
Service is very wide concept that public officials need to understand. It is now an integral part of their position as public officials. Service defines the direction of barangays. If officials are willing to provide real service, the residents must be lucky.