What does it take to train a large number of people and account for every one of them? What does it take to affect a huge number of people in a positive way and eliminate their bad habits to the absolute minimum to be able to bring the very best in them? What does it take to wake up early in the morning and sleep late at night and keep an energetic spirit going throughout the day? What does it really take to be a Listahanan trainer? Let us get to find out.

Defying Challenges

Some people would say that they do it for the challenge. Some people shy away from challenges either because they are too afraid to try or the challenge is too hard to overcome. But some relish difficulties and problems. They want to defy conventional wisdom especially when the odds are against their favor because they know that when they push through and succeed, the norms will forever be shattered and new possibilities will be opened.

Mr. Matthias James Ryan Tangonan, DSWD Field Office 2’s Regional Information Technology Officer (RITO) said that mingling with his colleagues was the biggest challenge that he had to overcome, but with the help of the people closest to him, he was able to build lasting friendships.

“To build trust with my colleagues was the biggest challenge due to the reason that I was a bit of a loner for the past few years. My mentor, the late Sir Phil, taught me how to get along with people and trained me to be open to ideas. This training molded me to become what I am today: a better man,” Mr. Tangonan said of his struggles and eventual triumph towards building connections.

Testing the Untested Waters

Some people would say that they do it because it is something rare and different. People don’t usually get the chance to help such a large number of needy people in such a short period of time and when the opportunity comes, some people accept the responsibilities that it demand because these moments are few and far between. This may only come once, we never know. The sheer unpredictability of the event makes accepting the responsibility too hard to decline.

Christopher Soriano, DSWD Field Office 2’s Regional Field Supervisor, is one of those who consider the experience of being part of the Listahanan project as something different.

“Being part of Listahanan is a bittersweet experience. Hundreds or even thousands of hours of sleep were given up just to train and deploy field staff to ensure that no families are left behind. From time to time, our bodies would grow weak but our hearts and minds would push us to remember the purpose of what we are doing. Being a part of Listahanan is to be a part of something bigger than ourselves,” Mr. Soriano said.

Supporting the Underprivileged

Some people would say that they do it to foster change. We have been seeing poor people from all walks of life as long as we can remember and it is time to change it. It is time for a revolution. Assistance should be given in all forms to change their situation.

One person who wants to cultivate change in the lives of the poor is Mr. Reymund Ferrer, DSWD Region 2’s Regional Associate Statistician.

“Ako, isa lang ang motivation ko, makatulong, lalo na sa mga mahihirap para magkaroon sila ng mukha dahil siguro naman panahon na para mabawasan ang paghihirap nila,” Mr. Ferrer said when asked what identifying the poor would mean in advocating change in their lives.

One for the Family

Some people would say that they do it for their loved ones. They want to work to be able to help the people that they care about. Work is really fulfilling when your motivation is your family and for civil service as well. Work is easier to do and you feel less stressed when you have a family behind you, ready to support you all the time and willing to be there for you when you need them.

Ms. Julie Pearl Mendoza, an Administrative Assistant III for DSWD Region 2’s Cash Section but also works as a documenter for Listahanan said that she goes through the hardship of identifying where the poor are because of her family and to be able to help other people as well.

“Gusto kong tulungan pamilya ko at para na rin makatulong sa mga mahihirap,” Ms. Mendoza said.

Rewarding Effort

Some people would say that they do it because it is fulfilling. How many of you feel a genuine sense of happiness when you help someone? How many of you feel fulfilled when you do civil work for the benefit of others? Doing work for the benefit of other people is more than gratifying. A person is more defined by the work that he does to help other people than the work that he does for his own cause. What people will remember more often than not is what you did for them, not what you did for yourself.

Mr. Andres Abong, DSWD Field Office 2’s Computer Management Technologist 1 of the Regional Information and Communication Technology Management Unit or RICTMU said that it is quite satisfying to be able to land a hand to help train field staff for Listahanan.

“Masaya ako na naging part ako ng assessment kahit hindi talaga ako part ng Listahanan, yung makatulong ka sa kanila para matuto sila,” Mr. Abong said of what he feels about being a part of the training team in preparing the field staff for the assessment.

We in DSWD work for different motivations but the end result is the same. We all work to be able to help people, especially the poor. Listahanan is in the midst of the busiest and certainly hardest part of its program, identifying who needs assistance the most. The staff involved in the project certainly has motivations, sometimes the same, sometimes it varies. But we all work to help people, to identify them, for them to have a representation, for them to have a face. It’s not that the staff is impervious to fatigue and stress, they are, but the goal is much larger than the sum of all the pains that they experience on a daily basis just to get it done. The fulfillment of achieving the goal after months of hardship is what motivates each and every one who is working for Listahanan. The project is in the stretch run and there is no turning back. It almost feels like there’s no tomorrow. Will the staff achieve their goal? Will they be able to pull off the daunting task in front of them? We are about to find out. ### Written by Chester Carlo M. Trinidad, Listahanan Information Officer