Left hand, meet right hand

#ASKGOYO

Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal

I wrote a while ago about the seeming disconnect between offices and officials in government.  How some offices and officials issue contradictory statements and orders.  How the country missed several opportunities to help make things better in this pandemic, because it seems officials don’t talk with each other.  Or maybe they talk, but they don’t listen.

We’ve seen the results of that miscommunication, or better described non-communication between officials.  Policies announced, then within hours or a day or two, “modified”, “amended,” “revoked” or “clarified.”  Then those “clarifications” later on “clarified.” AGAIN.

Normally policies, whether in the private sector or government, are discussed, threshed out and vetted BEFORE announcing.  So, the public is informed one time of a policy that has ideally been discussed thoroughly.  We’re not only talking about the policy to be announced, but also the manner it is announced.  Remember, the message is at times as important as the way it’s conveyed.

Unfortunately, it’s as if draft guidelines are announced as rules, and when the public reacts, the guidelines are modified, amended, or even revoked.  People are usually confused because some might miss the subsequent modifications and amendments to previous orders announced.  If an official in a private company did this, he/she would be fired from the company.

So, what’s the roadblock for people to communicate with each other before making an announcement?  No platform or means to do it?  I assume government officials have a smartphone now. For reference, the top 10 phone brands in the world are (arranged alphabetically):

1. Apple
2. Huawei
3. Lenovo
4. LG
5. Mobicel
6. Motorola
7. Nokia
8. Oppo
9. Samsung
10. Xiaomi

All those brands above-listed have smartphones where you can install messaging apps.  I’m certain that officials have a smartphone of one of the brands above-listed.  I’m sure everyone has Viber installed on their phone/s.  There’s so many vibergroupchats now, for practically anything.  So, officials can use that platform.  But what if you don’t like Viber, are there other options?  Yes, there are.  Below is a list of private messaging apps that can be used:

1. CoverMe
2. Dust
3. Facebook Messenger
4. Kakaotalk
5. Line
6. Signal
7. Silence
8. SureSpot
9. Telegram
10. Threema
11. Viber
12. WhatsApp
13. Wickr Me
14. Wire

Most of these apps can run in both iOS and Android phones.  So, no matter what phone brand you use, there’s no excuse not to be able to join a groupchat.  These apps also provide end-to-end encryption with varying levels of security.  So, it’s safe to use, even for very sensitive topics.  An option if you don’t want to use messaging apps, is use Zoom or, as an alternative, meet to discuss (provided everyone follows safety and health protocols).

So, the tools to be able to communicate is there.  It’s not just there to be installed on your phone (or desktop), but to be used efficiently and effectively, to serve the general population.  Better communication is a key factor in making things better.  Talking and discussing about policies BEFORE announcing it is extremely important for it to be effectively implemented and followed.

Remember, when using your phone (when using your messaging app), most people use BOTH hands to type.  Hopefully this is also a message.  Officials should use technology to communicate. BETTER.  When you’re using both hands in using your phone to communicate, it’s also a message that you do things in sync.  The right hand working together with the left hand in getting your message across.

Have a safe and healthy Merry Christmas!