IN HIS 4th State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the executive branch and the local government units (LGUs) to simplify its processes to improve its services for the Filipinos.
“I reiterate my government -- my directive to the government and instrumentalities, including the LGUs and the government corporations: simplify... Just like the others. You can do it electronically. You do not have to go to the office,” Duterte said.
The President has expressed frustration over the lack of improvement in terms of government services.
“I’ve been asking that from you since three years ago... Nabibwisit na,” he said.
Duterte added, “Simplify and make your services responsive to --- client-friendly. Your client is the Filipino, our employer --- from where the money in our pockets come from, from our salaries.”
President Duterte is not the first Philippine president who tried to improve government transactions. Former Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III have also implemented some sort of strategy to ease government transactions and improve the Ease of Doing Business in the country.
Philippines’ problematic processes have taken its toll on the country especially in terms of ease of doing business here.
In 2014, Philippines ranked 93 out of 183 countries in terms of doing business here according to the Ease of Doing Business report of the World Bank. In 2018, the country has dropped to 124.
This is a far cry from Singapore, which ranked second in the Doing Business ranking of the World Bank. Other Southeast Asian powerhouses also ranked better -- Malaysia ranked 15th, Thailand at 27th, and Indonesia at 73rd.
Also, when you ask some people around, they would agree that government transactions, whether business related or not, have a high tendency to be lengthy.
Coupled with the long processes is the lack of customer service of some frontline government employees. We can safely say that many of you have your fair share of bad customer service from government employees.
Government agencies should shape up and simplify government processes. We reiterate the president’s statement, we are your employers and we are your clients. Shape up and give us the quality service we deserve.
Don’t wait until we also heed the advice of the President to “make a scene” if we are not happy with your services.
“I’m addressing now to the Filipino. Kayo rin kasi. Sinasabi ko na sa inyo, be assertive. At ‘pag kayo o ikaw hiningian more than the required payment by government at humingi pa sa iyo, I’ve been telling you mag-eskandalo kayo sa opisina. Make a scene. Sampalin mo ‘yang i** na ‘yan. Kasi aabot rin sa akin ‘yan,” Duterte said.