Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) latest call for volunteers to repack family food packs may sound noble on paper — but in reality, it exposes a deeper and more uncomfortable truth about how our government often addresses urgent labor needs: by appealing to unpaid goodwill instead of creating dignified, paid work for Filipinos who desperately need it.
In Pasay City, the DSWD’s National Resource Operation Center (NROC) is gearing up to ensure a steady supply of relief goods for disaster-stricken communities. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao proudly thanked volunteers for their generosity, highlighting the “challenging nature” of the task. Yet, buried beneath this gratitude is a question we can’t ignore: Why are we depending on free labor when thousands of able-bodied, unemployed Filipinos — the so-called “tambays” of our neighborhoods — could be earning a living doing exactly this kind of community work?
Unemployment Isn’t a Volunteer Opportunity — It’s a Call to Action
Across the country, millions remain jobless or underemployed. Many of them spend their days idle, not because they lack the will to work, but because no one offers them meaningful and fair-paying opportunities. The DSWD’s repacking operations require time, effort, and physical stamina — skills that jobless citizens could readily provide if the government simply decided to pay them.
Instead of asking ordinary Filipinos to “bring your own water and meals” for unpaid labor, why not offer them at least the minimum wage for their work? That would not only honor their contribution but also stimulate the local economy. A paid repacking program could create thousands of temporary jobs, putting money directly into the hands of families who need it most.
Free Labor Undermines Both Dignity and Preparedness
Disaster preparedness is not a charity event. It is a state responsibility that should be supported by a paid, trained workforce. Relying on volunteers creates a fragile system that hinges on goodwill and availability, instead of guaranteeing consistent manpower through fair employment.
When the next typhoon, earthquake, or flood hits, will we really be able to count on a steady stream of volunteers — especially when those same people might be dealing with their own damaged homes and families? A trained, compensated disaster-response labor force would ensure the work gets done reliably, without depending on sporadic acts of generosity.
From “Thank You” to “You’re Hired”
The DSWD’s Buong Bansa Handa program could take a massive leap forward by shifting from calls for volunteers to calls for applicants. Instead of handing out orientation pamphlets to unpaid helpers, hand them a contract. Provide them with protective gear, meals, and daily wages. Give them the dignity of knowing their hard work is recognized not only with words but with actual compensation.
By hiring local jobless citizens — those often dismissed as “tambays” — the government wouldn’t just be repacking food; it would be repacking lives with purpose, income, and pride.
Because in a country where calamities are inevitable, resilience isn’t just about relief goods — it’s about making sure no Filipino is left without the means to survive before disaster even strikes.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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