More than ayuda: What should be measured in a city

There are things we must acknowledge, even if we do not approve of everything a city government does.

In Manila, for instance, many families receive assistance when a loved one passes away, is hospitalized, or faces an immediate crisis. Such aid is vital. For a family in dire straits, this assistance can provide immense relief during a difficult time.

But while financial aid is important, it is not the sole measure of good governance.

More importantly, we should ask: What is the city doing to ensure that its citizens do not remain in poverty?

This is where the situation in Pasig becomes noteworthy. Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Pasig recorded the highest Gross Domestic Product growth rate in the National Capital Region in 2025. GDP growth does not automatically guarantee prosperity for every family, but economic growth matters because it can generate jobs, businesses, investments, and other opportunities.

Even more interesting are remarks by Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto regarding the Ease of Doing Business. He has anticipated significant changes to permit renewal processes in the coming years. If successfully implemented, this could go beyond simply speeding up operations at City Hall. It could have a direct impact on small businesses that struggle with permits, requirements, long lines, and the costs of simply remaining operational.

From the standpoint of development studies and development communication, this is where we need to distinguish between immediate aid, or ayuda, and the creation of opportunities.

Ayuda is different from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps, the government’s conditional cash transfer program, which also makes a significant difference to millions of families.

We need both.

This is also why Vico’s words to scholars resonated with me: “Just study.”

He told students not to think they owed a personal debt of gratitude to the government. Rather, he said they have a responsibility to taxpayers and to the country.

In a post on X, he wrote:

“Laging tandaan na wala kayong utang na loob kahit kanino (lalo na sa politiko) dahil pera ito ng taumbayan. Na-a-appreciate ko naman kapag may nagpapasalamat sa akin pero naiilang ako dahil hindi ko pera ito.”

It is a simple yet significant concept. The proper return is not political loyalty, but studying hard, graduating, living a decent life, and eventually giving back to society.

Children in cities should also be viewed in the same light.

It is not enough to wait for them to appear on the streets before we act. When we see children begging, we must ask: Where are their families? Are they attending school? Do they have access to food, healthcare, and social services? Are there sufficient interventions to prevent them from ending up on the streets?

In fairness to Quezon City and Manila, the blame should not automatically fall on them whenever they host rallies. These cities are frequent destinations for demonstrators, but not everyone participating in a rally necessarily lives or works there.

The same principle applies to the concerns raised by teachers and other sectors. We should not have to wait for people to take to the streets before their grievances are addressed.

Quezon City, for instance, has a broad range of opportunities available to students, from scholarships and educational assistance to various youth programs. This does not mean that there are no remaining problems. Gaps still exist, and some children require greater support. But providing opportunities before a problem escalates is a vital step in the right direction.

So, when evaluating a city, we should not look only at the amount of aid distributed.

We should also consider how many children were able to remain in school, how many businesses opened and remained operational, how easily residents can access government services, and whether systems are in place to help families rise out of poverty.

Evaluating politicians does not have to be a personal matter. It is better to focus on results.

After all, the real question is not simply, “Naayudahan ba ako?”

The question goes deeper: “Do I have the opportunity to prosper?”

And if a city truly serves its people, the answer should be yes, not only today, but for future generations as well.

Higher ed, higher calling

Jesus said after calling His followers the light of the world: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Ako, halimbawa, na isang guro sa pamantasan, isang mamamahayag na may opinyon, at isang taong nakaiintindi sa trabaho bilang isang tawag mula sa Diyos, maaari kong isipin na ang bokasyon ay may iisang pinagmumulan ngunit may iba’t ibang ekspresyon o kapahayagan.

May katawagan tayong lahat. Maaaring hindi lamang magturo o magsulat, kundi mag-alaga, magpaganda, pumatay ng sunog, manggamot, at iba pa.

Maaari ring maging mas malalim ang calling.

Tinatawag tayo ng Diyos upang hanapin ang katotohanan, hubugin ang mga isipan, magsalita nang may tapang at kagandahang-asal, at gamitin ang impluwensya para sa ikabubuti ng iba.

Sa pagtuturo sa unibersidad, maaaring bahagi ng tawag ang pagtulong sa mga mag-aaral na mag-isip nang kritikal, hanapin ang katotohanan, at maging mga taong may karunungan at karakter.

Sa pamamahayag, maaaring isa pa itong kapahayagan: paggamit ng sariling tinig upang linawin ang mga isyu, hamunin ang kasinungalingan, magbigay-daan sa mahahalagang tanong, at mag-ambag sa ikabubuti ng lahat.

It is our faith that gives the calling its deeper orientation: not merely success, recognition, or influence, but faithfulness.

Our profound thanks and shout-out to higher education officials who have recognized some of us from higher education institutions from regions up north to MIMAROPA as “experts,” with some awaiting deployment to state colleges and universities for faculty reclassification evaluation and accreditation.

The DBM-CHED joint circular provides that “the reclassification process shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and merit-based manner, ensuring equal opportunity for all qualified faculty members.”

A timely reminder from the recently held three-day orientation came from Director Lora L. Yusi of the CHED Central Office’s Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance:

“Uphold public service ethics.”

Super El Niño preparations

Ruffy Biazon and his city are not certain about the full impacts of Super El Niño, but one thing is clear, he says: It is important to be prepared.

Muntinlupa has revived its El Niño task force in preparation for what authorities describe as potentially very strong effects from the climate phenomenon. The mayor expects the task force to monitor areas that may require additional water supplies, among other concerns.

Civic leader Vincent San Pedro offers a simple reflection:

“May effect kasi sa Laguna Lake ang (Super El Niño), samantalang isa sa pinagkukunan ito ng tubig, at may Maynilad Putatan Water Treatment Plant pa nga rito.”

San Pedro will lead efforts to provide free drinking water and containers. The “Libreng Inuming Tubig” caravan has previously been launched by the city government, and it may once again become necessary.

Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition, meanwhile, has urged communities to focus on equitable distribution and water conservation rather than panic-buying bottled water and containers.

Industries and agriculture should also be included in water-source mapping, but households must remain a top priority.

In the end, governance is not measured only by what government can distribute when people are already in crisis.

It is also measured by what government can build before that crisis arrives: functioning systems, accessible services, educational opportunities, sustainable livelihoods, resilient communities, and institutions that allow people to stand on their own.

Ayuda matters.

But so does the opportunity to no longer need it.