It was already 1 a.m. of March 31, 2021 and I was still out of the house, working as a Grab delivery partner. I just had my dinner prior to reaching Brgy. Muzon in Harmony Hills in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. (Lunch comes at 3 p.m. and dinner at 11 p.m. onwards for many food delivery riders like me.)

I was about to deliver lugaw (porridge) to a resident in Muzon when I was stopped by a barangay officer at the checkpoint. The checkpoint was understandable; the area was on second ECQ lockdown. That I was not allowed to deliver the food because “lugaw is not essential” was not understandable even if it was beyond curfew time. Lugaw is food. And according to IATF ruling, food is essential. I kept my cool. I found an ally in Facebook Live as I documented the whole process of “lugaw is not essential” scene for 40 minutes.

This experience, that has gone viral since, has taught me to dream further. Part of my dreaming is hoping and wishing for a better Philippines when we elect our leaders in May 2022.

I wish for a leader who would make stable jobs available for everyone. As a Grab partner, I earn based on how industrious I am to accept orders. I am on the road early in the morning and come home very late at night. My goal every day is to provide for my wife and our three-year-old child. In between, I attend my online college classes.

'I wish for a leader who would communicate it very well to people that 'lugaw is essential' in the time of the pandemic.'

I wish for a leader who would assure many of us of job security. It is always a challenge to think of how else the future will look like for me and my family. I work hard but it is still a hand-to-mouth existence. I wish that when my son could already go to school, I would not be burdened mentally, physically where to get his tuition and allowance because I already had a job that was secured.

I wish for a leader who would make basic salary in the provinces competitive with the wage rate in Metro Manila. My job as a delivery rider is very hard, prone to accidents, exposed to the elements. I eat dust and fumes every day long before I eat my very late lunch and very late dinner.

In these trying times, we always look forward to finding strength from whoever is in control of the community. We listen to our leaders because they give the directions and protocols to follow so everybody will be safe.

Like other riders, I cannot eat on time because the surge of food delivery comes during lunchtime and dinnertime. The heat of summer is nothing compared to my desire to put food on our table. The sudden downpour is nothing compared to my desire to better my family’s life. I am not complaining. I am just stating facts. 

In the time of the pandemic, the number of riders in the delivery community has ballooned that there are now more riders than customers. Many riders come from the provinces. I am from Bulacan. I wish there would be jobs in the provinces that paid well so we didn’t have to come to Manila for work.

I wish for a leader who would communicate it very well to people that “lugaw is essential” in the time of the pandemic. The “lugaw” in my experience is just symbolic of how flawed the system is. We need a leader who can explain well the law, who will respect it and implement it clearly, consistently.

My “lugaw is not essential” experience further gave birth to my understanding of politics and public service in the Philippines. It made me dream for our country, for my family, for myself—as a rider. And soon, with the help of God, as a teacher. 

With my experience as my viewpoint, I can go on and on with my wish list for a future leader. I want a leader who is honest, brave and trustworthy. I want a leader who is confident and has the courage to know how to handle every situation that comes along his or her way. That leader for me is someone brave enough to admit his or her mistake and learn from it. I want to have more leaders who are concerned with the people and will be more knowledgeable on the responsibilities in their vicinity. 

In these trying times, we always look forward to finding strength from whoever is in control of the community. We listen to our leaders because they give the directions and protocols to follow so everybody will be safe.  

This pandemic really hits hard on everyone. It continues to test our strength to provide for our family with their every need. Every day. 

We need a leader. Now. 

Every voice matters. Register now! Go to irehistro.comelec.gov.ph.