I would have to say... This is probably one of those times when I would consider myself to be at a crossroad in my life. And all because of this impending transfer of our Regional Office to Calamba City, Laguna.
In case you don't know, the move is supposed to be in compliance with Executive Order No. 246 dated October 28, 2003 and signed into law by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The EO designates Calamba City in Laguna as the Regional Center for the CALABARZON Region or mainland Southern Tagalog, Region IV-A. (EO 682 was signed on NOv. 22, 2007, designating Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro as the Regional Center for MIMAROPA Region or island Southern Tagalog, Region IV-B.)
I would say that we were not too aware of the EO. There was talk of transferring the Regional Office to Calamba, but we didn't take this too seriously because the issue sort of cropped up only when our Regional Executive Directors happened to reside in Laguna. There was even a survey conducted on the issue and a refusal to transfer was the overwhelming response. After all, DENR Region IV (both mainland and island) was "born" in Metro Manila, during decentralization into regional offices. Naturally, most of the employees had established their lives in Metro Manila or in nearby Cavite. There were some who were residents of Laguna and would report to the Regional Office in Manila.
This setup was not unique to the DENR. Many national government agencies had their regional office IV in Metro Manila!
Then there was more pressure to transfer. As a token of compliance, we established a Satellite Office at the Calamba City Hall, manned by a few of our personnel, Laguna residents who found it convenient.
Later, a committee was formed to look for possible sites for the Regional Office to transfer to. The committee was not able to find one, as most were expensive or too cramped to accommodate us. We rejected suggestions for sites in Los Baños. We thought Calamba too far already, how much more for Los Baños, not to mention the additional traffic in its narrow streets especially around the UPLB area! After all, Calamba was the Regional Center, not Los Baños.
And now, this. All too soon we heard that one of our officials had found a transfer site: the upper three floors of a new building that was being constructed along the highway. Before we knew it, we learned that the contract had been signed and the finishing works were underway. Plans were being made for new tables and chairs; we were told not to bring any of our old tables and chairs to the new building.
Needless to say, many of the employees felt - nay, FEEL - betrayed. Panicked. Dismayed. Imagine the upheaval to be caused on our lives:
1. The additional transport costs, especially for those living farther north, such as in Quezon City, Valenzuela, Caloocan or even Bulacan. (I live in Manila, and the daily commute alone would cost me P200.)
2. The chaos on those who have young kids, who may have to be transferred in the middle of the schoolyear.
3. Additional costs on those who would have to rent a place if they opt not to do the commute. And how about those who cannot move their family to Laguna, and also rent a place in Manila? That's TWO rented places to maintain.
4. The pain of separation from loved ones. What about those who have someone at home to care for, especially those who have sick relatives who need their loving care and attention, or kids who need their guidance?
Would I rather commute? Imagine having to get up at around 5 AM just so I could avoid the traffic along the South Luzon Expressway. Imagine the traffic going home, especially now that the Skyway extension is being constructed, to be finished not within this year! This means I'd have to wake up while it's still dark, and go home when it's already dark. What about the rainy season, which render many roads unpassable, and the rides almost impossible to get?
Would I rather rent a place? I haven't experienced this during my student days, it seems almost laughable that I MIGHT be doing this in my professional life! That would mean not being at my mom's side as soon as she needs me... not being able to enjoy my niece's company as she grows naughtier and taller.. having less chances of getting pregnant because I would be apart from my husband five days (or nights) a week... Even though my work requires me to travel a lot, it's still a relief to know that at the end of the day, I could come home to the warmth of a family...
True, we would be leaving this seems-to-be-condemned-building that sways to the slightest tremor, this building that has been the Region's home for 20 years, this building that gives us an awesome view of Manila Bay and its golden sunset... this building that we swear at every time the elevator conks out and we have to trudge up the stairs to the 8th and 9th floors, we who are not getting any younger.. this building that is situated in a commercial district of Manila, quite accessible to nearby hotels and malls, churches and schools, and public rides to different destinations north and south... I suppose we should be glad that we would be moving to a newer building, one where we would be the first occupants, not like this one that has a history of its upper floors having been gutted by fire. This new building is, after all, along the highway, just along the bus route.
Should we be glad for this? Government is spending needlessly for our rental of no less than P300,000 monthly or a whopping P18million for five years, not to mention the finishing works, (which are, by the way, NOT deductible from our rent), the new tables and chairs (supposedly because the space could not accommodate our currently serviceable - and old - desks and chairs), the additional requests to make life a little bit easier for many of us who would be dislocated, the transfer costs that include rental of trucks, the safety of the documents (public documents!)...
To what end, when they say a new government center is being built in Eton City? Why not wait till then, so that by that time people would be more inclined and adjusted to the move, and we would not be inconvenienced by another transfer? P18million at a time when government is calling for austerity measures. And that is only the cost of the rental, compared to our current location where we are rent-free, because we OWN the building. What about utilities? Urgh.... P18million may be enough for us to construct our OWN, NEW building!
What is sad is... we had filed a petition with our Secretary bringing forth our grievances, our misgivings on the transfer. We had requested consideration. It seemed to have fallen on the deaf ears and indifferent hearts of those who would NOT be affected at all...
...who do not seem to care because they could easily buy their own cars or four-wheel drive vehicles to weed through bumpy roads and knee-high flash floods, or even the services of a helicopter if they wanted, or police escorts to weed through traffic...
...who do not seem to care because they could easily buy a house and lot wherever they wanted to reside, while we settle for "decent and safe dormitory-type accommodations"...
...who do not seem to care because they have their own drivers at their beck and call, unlike us who have to make do with standing up in crowded buses, wondering if our bags or pockets were being picked and we just couldn't feel it because it was too cramped...
Anyway, we at the employees union could only request for a shuttle service; accommodations; canteen; provision of relocation allowance; approval of a four-day workweek; and swapping of items or reassignment of personnel.
Yet with the latest development of a "status quo" for the MIMAROPA Region, who, admittedly was more agressive in going against their transfer to Calapan City, we in the CALABARZON Region could only wonder: If it was possible for them, why not for us? True, Calapan City is farther than Calamba City (you'd have to ride a bus to Batangas then ride a scheduled ferry to Calapan), but this does not mean there is less adjustment for us.
And we go on and on... With all the trumpeting that the EO is a "done deal" and that "the contract with the building is effective August 2009," we could only listen in dismay and hope that the move would be further delayed.. but delayed until when?
Is this a sign for me to move on, to transfer to another office or another agency in Manila even though I'm satisfied with my current job? I, after all, like working for the government, no matter how low the compensation or how disgusted I am with the seeming corruption. Is this a sign for me to heed my husband's insistence on applying for a job outside the country, for a chance at a "better" life (although I wouldn't consider it better if it only refers to monetary advantages.)
I'm tired of thinking... But the decision will eventually come.
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