Today was National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance day so I needed to start early, as early as I can, well aware of the snaking lines that applicants have to go through.
I went to the NBI satellite office inside the Quezon City hall compound where parking lots were
still empty and the Hall of Justice still asleep.
But I was deceived. At the satellite office, there was mayhem and chaos. No early riser would beat the crowd of sleep-deprived men, women, students, seafarers, young boys and girls and the elderly. They were there since 2 am and the day's cut-off was 5 am. Had I known, I would not have bothered setting the alarm clock the night before. I would have stayed snuggled in bed, dreaming the dreams that go on and on.
I left the parking lot and drove to another satellite office in a nearby mall but there I saw the same chaos, the same sleep-deprived crowd, waiting and waiting still.
I left with all hopes dashed. It was an impossibly long queue. I had to start some other day or wait for a miracle from the heavens above.
I wondered how it is for the maddening crowd. I wondered how they could just sit and take it all -- such a very flawed system. I wondered how the government can live with the fact that for such a simple form of service, it has failed its citizens. And this is not even healthcare and public education.
Welcome to the Philippines. Welcome to mayhem.
I left the parking lot and drove to another satellite office in a nearby mall but there I saw the same chaos, the same sleep-deprived crowd, waiting and waiting still.
I left with all hopes dashed. It was an impossibly long queue. I had to start some other day or wait for a miracle from the heavens above.
I wondered how it is for the maddening crowd. I wondered how they could just sit and take it all -- such a very flawed system. I wondered how the government can live with the fact that for such a simple form of service, it has failed its citizens. And this is not even healthcare and public education.
Welcome to the Philippines. Welcome to mayhem.
