There are many traits Filipinos are known for. We are hospitable, cheerful, and pliant as bamboo in times of adversity. Our close ties and unparalleled love for family have inspired us to journey across the globe as migrant workers.
But we are far from perfect. Pedestrians crossing everywhere except on the pedestrian lane, drivers running the red light, garbage scattered on the streets, and private cars parked on public roads and sidewalks are common sights in the Philippines. Yes, there is glaring evidence: many of us lack discipline.
Let’s admit it. Being ill-disciplined is one of our weaknesses. It is the rotten tomato among all our accolades and achievements as a race. Many of us are guilty of and victims of this, one way or another. Who have not been in a rush, already late for an event, only to find out that it has not started yet, minutes and hours later?
Crescencio Doma Jr., an Abu Dhabi-based hospital administrative assistant and sociologist from the University of Santo Tomas, has reasonable explanations. In “The roots of Filipino indiscipline”, published on The Manila Bulletin, the roots of this undesirable behaviour were traced from a larger socio-political context.
“Impatience is basically a reaction to a dysfunction in a given [social] system. People become impatient only when their needs are not satisfied at a given time. At the same time, it can be traced to the absence of clear policies and implementing rules that would ensure a positive response from people towards law,” Doma explained.
In other words, even though lack of discipline is an individual action, there are also environmental stimuli that fuel this conduct. In poverty-stricken areas, for instance, waste segregation and collection systems are not always in place, thus, litters everywhere. Unsound urban planning also contributes to illegal parking. A huge number of people flock major cities because these are where major business centres are concentrated. In overcrowded housing areas, people have to find ways to park their vehicles, against all odds and often, illegally. Meanwhile, the heavy traffic condition is both a cause and a result of ill-disciplined driving. When people drive carelessly and disobey the rules; heavy traffic ensues. When traffic is bad, people are driven to play against the rules just to get ahead.
In addition, slack implementation of rules also leads to lack of discipline. People are inclined to disobey when they know that they can get away with violations.
Time and time again, people do not get apprehended, especially for minor offences like jaywalking. In turn, these violations are not considered serious. Worse, they have already become societal norms. Doma added another observation, “Philippine society lacks a strong sense of role modelling. While we do not discredit the good examples shown by some people in the past as well as today, we cannot deny the fact that there are glaring incidents that would show people that ignoring laws are socially acceptable practices will do them no good,” said Doma.
But we are not a hopeless case. We won’t have as many successful OFWs throughout the globe if we are unable to adapt to the disciplined culture abroad. Well, in other countries, rules and punishment even for relatively minute offences are clear-cut and strictly imposed. OFWs know that the slightest offences can have major consequences overseas. This is something we need to emulate in our country.The individual responsibility of mending our ill-disciplined ways should go hand in hand with tireless law implementation and timely apprehension from our authorities. Only then can we say that we are truly on the road to change.
PHOTOS: DailyPedia
