Let's get into the action right away. So, we read the news today that
President Duterte just fired all presidential appointees of previous administrations. Or, is it that he declared
all appointive government posts vacant to address corruption in the bureaucracy? Anyway, it sounds like a sweeping purge. I don't think you can solve the problem by axing everyone who had so little time yet to prove their mantle.
Years of corruption and we expect him and his men to solve it in less than 60 days? I don't think that's plausible. You need to look at it from the ground up why it is happening. Let those guys work on it one-by-one, step-by-step. in the case of LTO, The secretary should visit every district especially those that are known to be the most corrupt-ridden area like some regions in Mindanao. Meet the employees as well as the stakeholders. Find out about the problem and why there is corruption.
Lets take a look for example with surplus vehicles. Why are they still coming in, in our country? How are they still able to bring in these units unabated? Why aren't they allowed to register in Cebu City but are able to register in Mindanao. I know trucks and other utility vehicles are exempted because they are use as replacements or are utilize for the riding public. Cars like Honda Fit, Toyota BB, Nissan Cube, Suzuki Vans and some SUV's aren't supposed to be imported as completely build units but importers declare these as replacement parts and are bought here by lot as knockdown parts. Well, they are then assembled back to it's original form with it's steering converted to left hand drive since Japan has a right hand drive system in their country.
It's been going on for years and years. I know Cebu City is strict on renewing these kinds of vehicle as well as other districts in Cebu. If an owner wants to renew it, he will have to contact someone who has contacts in Mindanao so he can send his documents there so it can be processed.
So, how do you solve this perennial problem? It's not gonna be easy. First, you have to deal with the people whose been there for years. You put one good guy on top but he's got people below him whose been taking and raking in loads of cold hard cash. How would you kick them out when these guys are career officials and are protected by law? Even the lowly job order employees who are assigned in crucial position gets a piece of the slice. Why? Because vehicle dealers wants to hasten the processing of their documentations and well, that should stimulate these people to work harder and for longer hours because there's something to gain after.
It's not impossible but it will take time. Start with the people. You either weed them out or give them a better compensation. Of course, it won't be easy to just let these people go. You don't want to add more jobless people on the streets. You also wouldn't want to cripple government operation being short on manpower. How do you strike a balance is the tricky part.
Improve the system.
Why people who wants to get a license need to approach a fixer to get things done is something to look at. If there was a better way to go about it like a more streamlined process, friendlier staff and less waiting time, then there's probably little to no need of a go-between person to get a license.
Standardize the process in all the regions.
Processing in other districts as well as regions differ a lot. Some requires this while the other doesn't bother about it. It happens to a lot of government agencies as well.
Lastly, I think that the president needs to be more patient. He has good intentions but he can't expect instant result. Get the government to keep it simple and not to get people to do a lot of painstaking merry go round to get his transaction with the government done.
[Photos: philstar, yearling.buycarnow.org, mb.com.ph]
