TIK-EYE: Addressing Tikayeño’s Issue and Attesting they’re True

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The dawn of this modern world has made an indelible impact on how we perceive, react, and address the issues we have on hand.

Over the course of years, citizens were least likely to be heard due to some reasons which are yet to be known.

We’re still on the same place, facing the same old baffling dilemma and what’s worst is we can’t see hopes.

We’re hanging clueless, helpless, and oppressed.

If voices do matter, why is the world seem deaf? If voices do matter, why are we still screaming?

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I am surprised to know that one of the fastest growing barangays of city of Malolos, Bulacan which is Tikay, is also one of the slowest when it comes to responding. Which is why, I have chosen this community, for I’m intrigued with the stories hiding behind its rising industries.

I admit it was hard to conduct a survey to a community which I’m not belong. First off, I have minimal knowledge about what is really happening there. Second, I find it hard to approach people from a different place.

But since I have this rule of not letting anything limit what I can do, I still chose this intriguing community.

I did a couple of research just to attest that what I will share in this blog is sufficient enough, and that being an outsider, will not impede my intention of amplifying the voices of those who have stories.

I invited ten different people, with different ages and different sentiments to share, to answer my survey and help us see Tikay in-depth and in the lens of its residents.

Figure 1. Demographic Profile of the Respondents

Figure 1 shows the demographic profile of the respondents, which as presented above, is made up of (6) females which represents 60% of the sample and (4) males which represents the remaining 40%.

It also showed that (7) of them which represents 70% of the sample are college students, (1) respondent representing 10% is high school graduate, another (1) representing another 10% is currently senior high school student, and last (1) to represent the remaining 10% is a college graduate.

If you have noticed, the age bracket of my sample is 16-69 years old and I am ecstatic that it happened to be like that.

Age is an important factor, thus, having different respondents at different age helped me get different angles and wider scope of what I’m trying to assess.

Figure 2. Community Issues that the respondents want to be addressed

This is the report of the existing community problems that the sample wants to be addressed. I have not included presumed issues so the respondents can exercise their freedom of speech and expression.

As you can see, different community issues were mentioned but then again some of the respondents share similar concerns.

The figure shows that the top two most pressing issues of Barangay Tikay are lack of organization which is 20% and drug addiction which, again, is 20%.

Citizens of Tikay are saddened by the fact that their officials, when conducting different missions and events, lacks organization.

This led to recurring sketchy scenario where events became chaos and everyone turned confused.

It is also a persisting issue left neglected and I have a wild guess why. Maybe it’s because of the misconception that it is normal and that there is much problems needed to be prioritized than this poor little claptrap.

Second one is drug addiction. This is so concerning since I have learned from one of my respondents that most users are minors.

Drug-related issues were born before times and I believe this is not just bounded in Tikay, but a totally serious case for the whole country and yet, to this day, it still remains unsolved.

“Marami namang ibang issue dito sa community namin pero ang naoobserve ko, hindi napagtutuunan ng pansin yung [drug] addiction kaya lalong dumadami ang gumagamit […] Dapat […] masolusyonan agad habang hindi pa gaano malala [i]yong issue.”

“Mukhang wala namang ginawang kilos ang officials kasi may mga nakikita pa [rin] akong gumagamit ng [drugs] dito. Siguro kung [mayroon] man silang ginawang kilos, hindi sapat or hindi nila naprioritized.”– Respondent 7

Figure 3. Respondents’ way of approaching officials re: community issue

Meanwhile, this figure shows the result of the third question of my survey, which is how the respondents approach the officials and call for a prompt response.

The sample share quite similar approach, with majority of them stated their preference of personally going to the hall to discuss matters with their barangay officials. Followed by those who preferred to address the issue online, to have forum, and another one who stated that pleading is his way of calling for an action.

While majority shared their preferences of approaching the officials, there is, however, (1) of them who stated that he is yet to report the issue, for he don’t want things to complicate.

Figure 4. Challenges of addressing community issues to government

The fourth question in my survey aims to assess what challenges the citizens are experiencing when it comes to informing the officials about the existing issues in their community.

Though I have collected various sentiments, I will just highlight the three main challenges which I think are prevalent and relatable for all.

First is the immediacy of action. 20% of the sample have agreed that the biggest challenge in informing the officials about their concern is the fact that they don’t know when the response will come, or worst is, will it ever come?

Second one is the availability of the officials. 10% of the sample have stated that this is their recurring struggle. As a citizen, you know it is hard when our grievance is continuously ignored rather than acknowledged. It’s hard when you need to ask for help but nobody’s present, not even the one you elected in power.

Third is the actual communication process. 30% of the respondents have mentioned their difficulty in addressing concerns to the government. The top reason why, is the fact that barangay officials in Tikay are not open for such matter.

In addition, Respondent 4 stated why communicating with their officials is such a dare for those who are courageous enough, she said,

“[They are] not much interested in considering constructive criticism.”

That may support and justify why some of the respondents find it hard to confront them.

Moreover, it can also be the cause why some chose not to interfere with the issues, and besides, since the officials are not open for constructive criticism, it also added difficulty to the residents whose intention is to convince the officials that the issue is really happening.

Conclusion and Interpretation:

Tikay, City of Malolos, Bulacan, one of the fastest-growing barangays of the province proved to me how the heights of enticing industries can cover-up the real story.

I realized how these community issues reflect the poor governance we’ve grown into and how people in power can never see the grievance of the citizens, until they decided to open their eyes.

Throughout the process, I have come to deep realizations, and those realizations set the fire within me. I feel my passion of amplifying people’s voices burning even more.

The respondents helped me in determining the most pressing community issues in Tikay and again, based on the results, drug addiction and lack of organization are the top two headaches of Tikayeño.

These two issues are prevalent not just within Tikay but across the country.

According to Statista Research Development, there were about 41.5 thousand reported cases involving illegal drugs in the country last year, which majority were reported by the NCR’s police office. Take note that in those cases, minors are always involved.

I have also realized that planning is never enough. We need actions!

I am just wondering why we have to face the same dilemma when most are claiming that we have come this far. This far? How far? I cannot see for it seems like what they called “progress” is just a real progress for the privilege ones.

I know I am not a resident of Tikay but I also know that helping other people knows no limit.

I believe I am a great help just by writing this blog and informing the readers that bad things really happen, but remember we always have a choice.

It’s either stay like that or do something.

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References:

Statista Research Development. (2022, March 10). Reported cases involving drugs Philippines 2021, by region. www.statista.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171104/philippines-crime-incidents-involving-drugs-by-region/