Utopia

I always believed that one could reach a perfect world. It just really depends on what perfection is for you. Although it may seem like it is impossible and the getting there seems to be endless-- dreaming of it and aiming for it isn’t half bad either. For me, its not about being perfect, but aiming trying to be perfect. I mean really, is there really such a thing as perfect? For example, David, with his perfect body and aim was able to kill Goliath, but I bet you that he had his faults, but when he was able to kill him nobody seemed to care anymore. What I'm trying to say is, even though we cannot be perfect, it does not mean that we cannot try to be perfect. Maybe trying to be perfect is already being perfect. 


As for the Bureau of Immigration, we may have let you down more often than not, but it does not mean we're not trying to be perfect for you. So, I’d like to share you how I think the Bureau of Immigration would look like in its utopian state. 

It is when fixers become agents, and agents become employees of the Bureau, and employees of the Bureau become stewards of the agency. It is when no envelopes are being received, but also no envelopes are being given. It is when employees start understanding the meaning of professionalism and service entails, but also when people start understanding what respect and trust means. It is when employees do not expect anything in return, but also when people start realizing that saying “Thank you” is enough.

It is not when the suggestion box is empty, but when it is full of suggestions to improve the system. It is not when there are no complaints, but when there is argument for the betterment. It is not when fixers are gone, but when actual applicants are there to do their own application. It is not when we do not make mistakes, but when we learn from them. It is not when nobody asks, but when everybody can answer them. It is not when there are no more problems, but when there are more solutions to solve it.

It is when one day, you enter the Bureau and you see more foreigners than Filipinos. When applicants are less hostile and the people behind the window are happy to be there. It is when one day, EVERYBODY understands the importance of their role in this one big system of service—when employees WANT to help provide this service and when applicants WANT to be physically there to get their visas.

and yet I still dream of this day.