Ma. Nilda Guialel stamps a document received from a Bangsamoro client at her Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) Administrative Management Service-Records Division (AMS-RD) station. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
Being the source of life in the family is indeed one of the most fulfilling feelings a person may ever experience.
The smiles on their faces, the food served on the table, and the very fact that the day-to-day grinds are survived just make a breadwinner declare, “It’s all worth it.”
Seldom is there a situation where someone on this planet would not be thrilled to be the reason for one’s triumph, survival, and joy.
As Filipinos, we especially maintain our cultural integrity when living under the same roof with our family and relatives. As cliché as it seems, “the more, the merrier.”
However, it may be heavy and demanding sometimes, or perhaps most of the time, for the people who support their families.
This is mostly relatable to the ones known to be the ‘providers’ of their family and our all-time superheroes—the breadwinners.
As commonly defined, a breadwinner is a family member whose wages supply the family’s principal or only means of support.
Maria Nilda Guialel, 26, a proud breadwinner, has been an employee of the Bangsamoro Government since 2021.
She works as a Records Officer under the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM)—Administrative Management Service—Records Division (AMS-RD).
To her, being a breadwinner is immensely challenging; however, this is the best way she could help her parents.
“My mom gave birth to me when she was in her 30s, and at this point, my parents are already old. That is why I have them ceased working since I started earning,” she said, expressing optimism about transforming their lives.
Guialel’s generosity was equated with good things—what she termed “rewards”—that she availed of and received from BARMM.
These include access to healthcare, spiritual upliftment, and just and moral governance.
Costless Medical Assistance
With all the painstaking responsibilities she has been carrying since, an unforeseen test of faith crossed her path.
Last year, her uncle was hospitalized, and the bills went as high as a skyscraper, leaving their whole family worried about how to defray the expenses.
Fortunately, the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBaG), one of the OCM’s special programs, also extended financial assistance to cover the medical expenses.
AMBaG makes healthcare services and financial help available to the Bangsamoro population region-wide and those outside the core territories of the Bangsamoro region.
As of January 2024, a total of 131,399 patients had received medical support from the AMBaG since December 2019, amounting to P695,044,094 in financial aid.
The good news of accessible medical care from the Bangsamoro Government’s various measures is also disseminated by Guialel to her friends and relatives.
“It is not just I who benefit from these but also my loved ones,” she mentioned.
She added that OCM’s Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG), a special program designed to alleviate the conditions of Bangsamoro communities, provided them with assistance as well.
Likewise, she thanks the OCM’s Clinic for the provision of free medicines that are advantageous not only to the employees but also to their relatives.
Guialel discusses the positive impact and contribution of the Bangsamoro Government to strengthening her religious beliefs. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
Faith Development
On the other hand, she was delighted to share that she holistically embodies and practices the teachings of Islam, which is beneficial to her as a Muslimah.
“In the past, there have been times where I had no choice but to perform some discouraged acts in my religion, for they were required in some of my previous jobs,” Guialel stated.
“Now, I am one of the luckiest people who can work and fulfill my obligations as a Muslim woman, both at the same time, which indeed strengthens my faith,” the Muslimah continued.
She explained that the flexibility of time for praying hours and allowing the hijabis, Muslim women who wear veils, to be clothed in long dresses are among the best things she is grateful for in the Bangsamoro Government.
Guialel stressed that this preserves the spiritual aspect of her life as a Muslim.
Moral Governance Promotion
Apart from this, she also debunked the disparaging remarks tossed at the regional government, particularly in its employment process.
“Honestly, this government adheres to the indispensable hiring procedures, which means that they are merit-based,” she expressed.
“I thought of this from the moment that I was employed because when I got hired, I knew no one, and if I did, I approached no one to land in the position,” Guialel underscored.
Therefrom, the Bangsamoro employee urged the aspiring public servants to not lose hope in their job applications to subsequently serve the BARMM populace.
She added that the Bangsamoro Job Portal, an online job application platform of the BARMM Government, is inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly to those who dream of being part of the Government of the Day.
Guialel receives a document from a client of the AMS-RD. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
Guialel later hoped that more socio-economic interventions would be made available to the region’s constituents, particularly those who reside in far-flung, isolated, and disadvantaged areas of the BARMM.
She also extended her gratitude to the Bangsamoro leaders for their unwavering commitment to ensuring an empowered, cohesive, and progressive Bangsamoro.
“To our modern-day heroes, the Government of the Day leaders, you are met with rigorous duties for the Bangsamoro’s welfare; however, don’t worry, for you will reap the fruits of your hardships in the hereafter,” Guialel emphasized.
For her, her hardships of being breadwinner are indeed “all worth it” because of her work in BARMM. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
