Wednesday, September 01, 2004 Nalzaro: Counterproductive move By Bobby G. Nalzaro
We are now in months those names ends in ber. This reminds us that Christmas is just a around the corner. Starting today, we will be hearing Christmas songs on radio and in big shopping malls. Commercial establishments will be starting to display Christmas decorations.
I hope we will have a joyful and not a bleak Christmas amid the fiscal and economic crisis our country is experiencing. Let us just hope and pray.
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In response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s call to cut costs and implement austerity measures in view of the fiscal crisis we are facing, some local officials are also planning to slice their expenditures. This includes shortening the working days from five to four days a week.
This is also one of the suggestions of some lawmakers to save money and help address the budget deficit. The other is to ban the use of government vehicles during non-working days and holidays, except for those delivering basic services and maintaining peace and order.
Proponents claimed that by reducing the working days and banning the use of government vehicles on non-working days, substantial savings on electricity and fuel consumption will be generated.
Well, fine. But I have some reservations with the proposal to shorten the working days. I think this is counterproductive and will jeopardize public service and the delivery of basic services. There are many transactions that need immediate action, like applying for and securing business permits and clearances.
What about basic tasks like garbage collection and medical services? Should local officials just tell their constituents to wait for the next working day before their problems will be attended to?
If local officials are really sincere in helping the National Government save money, they should instead streamline the bureaucracy by terminating employees hired for political reasons, especially the 15-30 ones. Also, mayors and governors can do away with hiring consultants receiving fat salaries and allowances.
At the Cebu City Hall, for example, why is Mayor Tomas Osmeña hiring the services of former city councilors as consultants on various matters directly under the Office of the Mayor? Each councilor, I understand, also has consultants tasked to draft their proposed resolutions and ordinances.
How many of his political supporters did the mayor employ since he took over City Hall in 2001? And what was the basis for hiring them? I learned that there are around 5,000 employees at the City Hall. If we streamline that organization, I think only 4,000 or even one half of that working force are enough to run the City’s day-to-day operations.
This situation could also be happening in other local government units. The problem with our local officials, however, is that after winning in an election they transform government into an employment agency by hiring and accommodating their political supporters and protégés.
Mayor Osmeña did not grant City Hall employees their mid-year bonus because some of them are non-performing. If so, why not terminate them? With that, the City Government can save a lot of money.
(e-mail: bobby@sunstar.com.ph; or text: 0919-3181404)
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