Stories of Quirino (six)

It is a rule for me not to speak in any gathering when an official holding a higher post already will. So for most of these ceremonial turnovers when we often have our bosses, I meld with my staff, just working quietly in the sidelines. I show my face for photo opportunities, smile, cut ribbons, dig dirt with a shovel while wearing a ridiculously funny hard hat, shake hands with Mayors, but I don't speak before the crowd. 

In Quirino, I found myself speaking. In quite a shrilly voice, I realized, because I was disturbed by the fact that the farmer-leader of the irrigators' association was hesitant to sign the acceptance document. He told us, before he signs, he needed to hear from all the members of the association that they all agree to accept the project, as implemented. The reactions startled me. I looked at the faces of the farmers, and they all spelled suspicion. There were questions in their minds which needed answers. And so I asked all of them to move closer to us so we can dialogue. I do not want to expound on the questions. Suffice it to say that my USEC Rose and I were able to answer the questions, together with the implementing agency, the National Irrigation Administration. With all due respect to that other agency, the farmers seemed to be relieved by DAR's clarifications. 

I ended the discussion with a joke. I told them, before this project was to be on the ground, we visited them two years back, when I was still sporting a sexy body. Now, I told them, I have three layers of unwanted folds of fat on every part of my body, yet, we are still not done. They all laughed, not because I am indeed a fatso, but they knew what I was driving at. I even went as far as to say, 'maawa naman kayo sa amin, ginawa na namin lahat ng dapat gawin'. We went there two years ago to present the project  to them, to ask for their thoughts about it, their suggestions, and most importantly, their cooperation, in the presence of the Mayor then. Philippine Government projects require a counterpart from recipients all the time, and often, it is the cost of their labor in construction of infrastructure projects. Like in this case. They all agreed two years ago that yes, they were all willing to do their share. Fast forward to the day, I was told by NIA that the farmers did not keep their end of the bargain. Yet, there they were, suspicious and nonchalant at the same time, which was a confusing mix. 

It is not that I expected them to worship DAR, and express their gratitude by kissing our feet. What I did expect was at the very least, their smiles. They did not flash any. One did, but he was drunk, so that did not count. I expected decent clap of hands, but I guess their paranoia that someone put one over them in this million-peso deal paralyzed their hands. 

The acceptance document was signed, in the end. But not without me feeling inadequate, disappointed, and most of all, hurt. It did not help, too, that the Local Government Unit, not even the Barangay Officials, were absent. It appeared to me that they did not care, or that they feel that the government owes them, so we were just one among the many agencies who gave them projects 'kasi dapat lang'.

To be continued.