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Thursday, January 05, 2006
Rolling with the punches
By Kathy Villalon Cinco and Ramon C. Salvilla
I JUST learn to roll with the punches.
So said Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel "Boy" Mejorada as regards the criticism that come his way in relation to his work as a public official.
Being the alter ego of the Governor, he admits that criticism and personal attacks are part of his daily diet. In fact, he's so used to these that a day without such challenges counts as a sad day for him.
Get to know more about this courageous individual through this interview.
Sun.Star Iloilo Weekend: For those who are not aware yet, can you explain what a provincial administrator does?
Manuel Mejorada: I'm the alter ego or the right hand man of the Governor. My primary task is to coordinate all the programs and activities of the Iloilo Provincial Government, preside over meetings, consult with department heads and make recommendations to the Governor on certain proposals emanating from departments in their specific projects.
SSW: In that case, you get your share of criticism. How do you deal with these?
BM: I came from the media and when I was on the other side of the fence, I was a very ferocious critic of government officials. Now that I am on the other side, I tell myself to take things in stride. I should not allow these criticisms and even personal attacks to affect the way I work and my relationship with my family, my friends and my colleagues. So, I just consider it a daily part of my diet (laughs).
I just learn how to roll with the punches.
If the issues that are raised are valid, I make it a point to immediately respond to them so that the public will not be confused or be misled.
SSW: What makes you happy?
BM: Seeing that what I do contributes to improving or uplifting the lives of ordinary people. I work almost seven days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day, and each day presents unique problems or situations that I have to confront. People from all walks of life come to us for help and it really challenges my creativity and my knowledge on how to find ways to provide solutions to their problems.
When I see that what we did make them smile, that is a very, very happy moment for me.
SSW: Seven days of work . . . . doesn't your family complain?
BM: My family has learned to cope. When I was still in the media, it was almost the same -- there are no regular working hours. Even in the middle of the night, you have to go up and run after a story. It's the same here in the Capitol.
I learned how to divide my time between work and family and between leisure and responsibilities.
There is always a balance in my life. With the pressures that are always in this office, if I don't know to balance things, I could get burned out easily.
SSW: What constitutes your leisure time?
BM: Playing basketball, going to the gym, walking, jogging, occasional swimming, reading a lot, listening to music and surfing the Internet for pleasure and to widen my knowledge.
SSW: Many have said that you're eyeing the congressional post in 2007. Is this true?
BM: The decision is still too far to be made, but I have already expressed my intention, which is based on the clamor of the people in the 2nd District of Iloilo for change.
For the last seven years, they have realized they have just been fooled by Mr. (Augusto) Syjuco and his so-called programs and projects. That behind the drama and the stagesmanship, there is very little being done for the 2nd District of Iloilo.
SSW: Aren't you threatened by your opponent?
BM: A lot of people telling me I have no money; that I will be running against a billionaire with so much money, power and clout. But I am confident that once the truth is known to the people of the 2nd District, no amount of money can make Mr. Syjuco win again. He hasn't done anything, really, except for these free school supplies. Once the people realize how much the resources were wasted, they would always go for the side of the good.
SSW: What would be your platform of government?
BM: Education, infrastructure and health.
I believe that our country's problems will be solved in the long term by a stronger education system.
Statistics show that every year, achievement test results of students are getting lower. I found out that for every 100 kids in grade one, only 52 will finish grade 6; out of 52, only 14 will finish high school; and out of the 14, only eight will finish college.
So, we need to strengthen the basic education in elementary and high school.
We need an honest to goodness program to build school buildings, hire teachers and provide books.
One can't just give them a false sense of comfort by giving them school supplies and uniforms. One should address the fundamentals - the lack of teachers, classrooms and textbooks.
Also, the 2nd District of Iloilo lies at the doorsteps of the ongoing Iloilo Airport project in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan.
As early as 1998, the infrastructure requirements should have been addressed. Preparations should have been made to build new roads, power lines and provide for telecommunications, among other things.
We need to catch up if we want the 2nd District to develop. We have to take advantage of the opportunities that this airport will bring to the Province of Iloilo.
Then, there's the issue of health. The 2nd District is the only one with the least number of hospitals --- we only have one, the Aleosan District Hospital that is run by the Province of Iloilo.
We need to improve the facilities of the hospital in Aleosan.
SSW: Is your background enough to make you a successful legislator?
BM: My work in the media prepared me very well to become Provincial Administrator.
I became witness to all sorts of problems and exposed to harsh realities of life, so I got a better understanding of the aspirations of the people, what they want, what is lacking, and what they are the complaining about.
My being a Provincial Administrator also allows me to expand my perspective on the requirements for development.
So, given the opportunity, all these accumulated experience would serve me well if I would shift to being a legislator.
SSW: We understand you're also the president of the Rotary Club of Iloilo City.
BM: Yes, we have undertaken so many projects.
Last December 12 to 16, our club sponsored a surgical operation for harelip and cleft palate affected children.
A total of 34 children went under the knife in the hands of volunteer doctors and spent Christmas wearing a big smile on their faces. This is perhaps the biggest Rotary project in Iloilo, because each operation normally costs P60,000.
Last December 19, we had a Christmas party for the children of the Western Visayas Leprosarium in Sta. Barbara.
The children there are kids of healed lepers, so because of the condition of their parents, they are unable to find regular work or engage in livelihood activities, so they are very poor. We sort of adopted their school. We gave them free school supplies and we are pushing for a milk feeding project
This is where I channel my energy so I can continue to serve in a private capacity.
I work with my colleagues, other professionals and business people. With the help of people in other parts of the world, we are able to raise money for our projects.
SSW: This desire to serve people, where did this come from?
BM: grew up an idealistic person. I belong to a vanishing breed of the romantics who want to change the world, but I realized that it's next to impossible. But still, it does not discourage me. That's why I look for every opportunity that I can get to be able to improve the lives of the people.
You seem bent in taking of care of other people. Who takes care of you?
My family and friends. I'm not Superman, so I have emotional moments when I have to turn to family and friends for comfort, like telling them of my frustrations or anger. You can't keep these things to yourself.
SSW: are some of the things that people still don't know about you?
BM: I consider myself as an open person. I have been scrutinized with a microscopic eye by the media and people have heard attacks against me, whether they are true or not.
What they don't know is that my main motivation for living is to serve people. A lot pf people tell me I'm in a profession that has no money. But financial rewards do not rank high in my list of motivations.
Some people perceive me as serious person, but I'm a fun-loving person with a sense of humor. I laugh a lot, loudly. However, only a few people get to see me that way because I'm also very reserved. I don't open up if I don't feel comfortable with the people I'm with.
SSW: To end this interview, any New Year's resolution?
BM: To try to do more. I realized that the government does not have the resources to provide for the needs for the people, so as a public official, I need to come up with more creative strategies so that with the little that we have, we could maximize the utilization of our resources so we can accomplish more in terms of projects for the people.
Be active in my physical fitness routine. In order for me to be very efficient, I need to be healthy. I cannot afford to lose a day or two by being sick. I can't afford to lose the energy either.
(January 5, 2006 issue)
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