The Manila Times

Changing of the guard and the continuous push of the people’s reform train

JEREMIAH BELGICA

TODAY we will again witness what we only see every six years, the transitioning and turning over of administrations in our Republic. The old is set to be replaced by the new and with it is the hope that things will change, or continue to change, for the better.

Six years ago, the Filipino people were enamored by the radical and maverick style of leadership of a mayor from the south that held a huge potential to accomplish things for the people that no other presidents could or were willing to do. His brand of leadership gets things done whatever the obstacle might be and made us believe that “change is coming.” Indeed, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is a once-in-a-lifetime leader that will be a hard act to follow. Under his administration, we have seen many firsts that are normally characterized by the intensity and drive that goes with it. From his anti-drug war, anti-corruption and anti-insurgency campaigns to the emergence of the Philippines as a key mover in international relations, President Mayor Duterte has become more than what we expected of him.

I will always be grateful for having been given the chance to work under such transformative leadership as the first director-general of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA). His words and sincerity to address the plight of the smallest guys in society and his desire to make things better and comfortable for the people had always been my guiding inspiration as I went on with my ARTA work. His reminder to all of us of “Trabaho lang tayo, gawin lang ang tama, at huwag matakot” (Just work, just do what is right, and do not be afraid) was our guiding motto during my almost three years of service at ARTA. This led to our many initiatives in the streamlining of government services, automation of business permits in local government units, push for the greater use of the Citizen’s Charter, creation of committees on anti-red tape (CART) in the different agencies, implementation of the automatic approval provisions of Republic Act 11032, surprise inspections in different agencies, and the entrapment operations against fixers and the filing of more than 550 cases before the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Office of the Ombudsman and other courts. We have the President to thank for all the transformative work that were started and accomplished against red tape and for government efficiency.

The President’s drive for streamlining and efficiency was even more pronounced through ARTA’s flagship Nehemia program, or the National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies. Through this program, the telecommunications sector saw a drastic cut in the number of steps, processes and requirements in securing the appropriate permits for building telco towers. What used to take eight to 12 months were reduced to approximately 16 days. This led to the faster release of permits for building telecommunications towers from an average of 6,000 permits a year to 67,000 for 2021 alone. Because of this, the internet speed in the country continues to steadily increase almost every month according to the global internet speed testing group Ookla.

Needless to say, his instruction to government workers to work diligently, seek to do what is right, and be courageous is more than just a motto. Instead, he has always sought to exhibit and demonstrate these traits in every aspect of his presidency. These traits are rare gems that we all do wish and hope to see more in our next generation of leaders. No wonder that he is still enjoying the highest trust rating ever for a president who is about to step down.

However, we live under a constitutional setup that requires a president to step down after six years with a prohibition of getting reelected. We now face a new administration through our soon-to-be President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He carries with him an astonishing mandate from the majority of the Filipino people under a message and call for national unity. This is a perfect message and call for all Filipinos who want to further bring the country forward. Let us continue to pray for and support the good initiatives and aspirations of the incoming administration of President Marcos Jr.

As for President Duterte’s transformational legacy, there is a need for a continuous whole-of-nation drive for the reforms started: from the government to the private and special sectors; religious and non-religious sectors; old and young; former, current and upcoming. The reform is not with the system, but in us. Until we have really decided for ourselves that we really want this reform to happen no matter what the cost, and unless we are willing to make everyone accountable and subservient to the welfare of the people, we will not be able to realize this reform.

As for the battle against red tape, we have been gifted by the Duterte administration this transformational law, RA 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” and consequently, a young, vibrant and potent agency in ARTA that can continue to use to bring us to the destination of doing business and transactions with the government with ease. The hard reality is it is not the law or the agency that will truly determine the fate of the reforms started by the Duterte administration. But it is the people who will refuse to give up or be discouraged against oppositions and resolve to finish the reforms and make their institutions accountable even if it is uncomfortable. We need to push through despite the pull of the past to return in the old ways, and we have a chance to really unite and do it together.

Only then will we be able to get the people’s reform train moving toward the future that we all hope for: a smarter initiative and better Philippines.

Opinion

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2022-06-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/281951726507330

The Manila Times