Waiting

Waiting?  This was my reaction reading the post of Jeff Goins earlier enjoining the participants to take that as subject for the 18^th day.  I could only say “Wow!” in disbelief  knowing that it neither a magical word nor inviting and engrossing to write about.  Might be tried developing anyway  but of course with resistance and reservation as I might not be able to give justice on it spoiling my otherwise feverish write-ups in a row and regular basis of relevant documentaries on social issues of the day.

For the first time I suspected that I might not be able to comply the 500 words minimum requirement as I might mess up and screwed the topic.  But why not, I said in jest at the back of my mind recalling that writers worth his salt should always came out a piece albeit might not really that compelling and reasonable. For isn't this activity is also about free-writing,  just pouring in your thoughts from  the issue on paper never mind how you express it, came the consoling thought  later.

Waiting as patience? Yes, it could be.  This could  really be it and obviously a virtue. But as process treating you to a roller-coaster ride of waiting game could be an inverse.  Sloth, laziness, ineptness, corruption among others are words  that easily come up in my mind associated right away to waiting.  Okay, I think it best  emphasizing that dichotomy to put the word in its proper perspective to clear doubts.  Therefore, yes to waiting as patience and no as waiting game losing valuable time there is otherwise would have been  used  productively.

No problem here with already legislated relevant laws, ordinances and administrative order the likes of traffic lights  and number of servers in government agencies. You may beat the red lights but as experience would see it does no good as accidents happen almost always with motorists doing that. As we can see top news in tri-media belonging on this domain. This therefore needs no further elaboration. I wrote my take on the issue  in one entry submitted (Three Minutes Traffic Solution ironically not receiving a comment from any concerned stakeholders and critics! You should revisit that article to get what I mean from my 10 cents suggestion!)

I personally hate waiting game maybe the reason why I don’t take public transport for my travel around. Sayang, I would say losing that time while you are in transit. Of course, it’s nice to ride a bus especially on long trip like going to Malaybay, Davao, Marawi, Surigao, General Santos City, Saranggani, Lanao provinces, Caraga and Bukidnon napping in between the trip. But no way. This is the reason why I have already four motorcycles as my ever loyal travel companion using them alternately. And yes you might not believe – I’ve been to all cities and provinces mentioned with my bike! Why not? On the contrary you have all pleasure and enjoyment riding a motorbike than PUJ Bus. First, there is beautiful landscape treating your eyes, fresh air no pollution flipping your hair over as it caressed your face. What about food along the road like juicy catfish inihaw, carp, mudfish and other fish from fresh water? Fruits too come in handy giving you wide array of choice on display on makeshift shanties.

My favorite is sweet corn at Maluko at run-away low low prices. I was once in Taipei, Taiwan  in 1991 for two month's study at 54^th Regular Session on Land Reform and Rural Development and I tell you I didn't bought a sweet corn. Why so? The price was just very prohibitive at P70 New Taiwan dollar a piece or an equivalent of P70.00 too (Rate now is higher!), buko was P250.00 a piece. By now a buko must be more than P1,000.00 maybe a piece and sweet corn in between at P500.00 a piece. There too I appreciated how Chinese Taipei value their time. Imagine starting on time each session and meeting. Even such important affair as meeting with high government official, treatment of time is always consistent. Proceeding starts all the way in the absence of the invited guest or top ranking official unlike here in the country where time is sacrificed playing that waiting game of a Mayor, or guest before starting the program! Thanks that I just retired. At least I could now manage with my own time. It was indeed a welcome development freed from the ineptness of public officials caught by that waiting game bug.

How many incidents have I already  ranted concerned offices because of the lousy delivery of basic services. I can’t already count. GSIS, PAG-IBIG, Airport, LGUs, Gaisano Mall and just everywhere– all this have experienced  biting commentary from me. Even ROD and my own DAR were not excluded from my stingy criticism. And why not? Why for instance treat you to one or two to three years waiting game in the case of ROD before they could register the titles. Well the numbers of municipalities involved actually are 21 therefore their delivery lasting that long!

But clients are paying the registration fees and  other requirements. Why that long? With the system now computerized, it is hoped however that the issue is already addressed. In fairness to DAR where I once worked, actually it was not really that long as Claim Folders could be processed that fast depending the availability of all legal documents required. How long?  Maybe a week or two at Municipal level before their submission to provincial and then Regional Office for approval.  Waiting game then follows at the Registry of Deeds giving headaches to claimants of the Title. Hope that ROD could follow what Taiwan did – commercial processing of Title facilitating that fast after paying on demand registration fees and other payments.

PAG-IBIG used to process your claim in less than one hour; ironically would take you 3-5 days because of the volume of claimants.  Significant head-way too is exhibited by GSIS with their paper-less processing of your claim.  Punching in your loan at the designated Kiosk,  you can claim few days later your claim upon approval.  So, it’s not all that helpless to do the work given creativity of some government agencies.

Obviously, there is virtue waiting for your turn.  This after you have done your part. The inverse holds true – your patience flies high when you are treated shabbily by concerned agencies or institution.  Better you bring the case to concerned officers to address it.  And if you are regular traveler requiring each moment counts, then get your own motorbike to manage you going around on your convenience and time.  Doing this, could save you valuable time that could be put into productive use.

(My 18^th entry to My 500 Words Daily Challenge, January 19, 2010)