By all accounts, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman is redefining what it means to be a government leader. She not only steers the DBM toward better fiscal management but also empowers internal operations to embody practicality, efficiency, and empathy.
The recent release of DBM Budget Circular No. 2024-3 is a case in point. The move reflects her leadership and commitment to making government service both functional and human-centered. Signed by Secretary Mina on Oct. 22, 2024, the circular outlines the timely distribution of yearend bonuses equivalent to one month’s basic salary, along with a ₱5,000 cash gift to state workers.
Previously, government employees often had to wait until December, or later to receive these benefits, leading to frustration. Now, workers will receive their yearend bonuses and cash gift with their first paycheck in November, significantly earlier than before.
At first glance, this change might seem like a routine update, but it carries deeper significance. It highlights President Marcos' administration's mission of fostering an efficient, responsive government and exemplifies Secretary Mina’s dedication to enhancing the well-being and morale of public servants, ensuring their hard work is recognized.
By ensuring bonuses are distributed on time, Secretary Mina addresses not just financial concerns but also the emotional well-being of government workers. As she puts it, “Gusto natin siguraduhin na matatanggap nila ang bonus nila on time, para masaya ang Pasko at mas pagbutihin pa nila ang kanilang serbisyo.” This shows her understanding of how policies impact lives on a personal level.
What distinguishes Secretary Mina’s leadership is her practical approach. She understands how bureaucracy can slow down processes, causing delays. The new circular is designed to prevent these inefficiencies, instructing agencies to adjust payroll systems accordingly. This kind of results-driven leadership—prioritizing swift action, ensuring seamless implementation, and upholding accountability—is what governments worldwide need.
Efficiency has been a hallmark of her tenure at DBM, and this initiative fits seamlessly into the administration’s broader agenda of good governance. By taking care of public servants, Secretary Mina reinforces the idea that good governance starts from within.
Eliminating delays in bonus distribution sends a strong message: government should be efficient, transparent, and responsive to the people it serves. Under her leadership, the DBM is making “ease of doing business” a reality, from budget preparation to employee benefits.
It’s clear that empathy is central to Secretary Mina’s leadership. Her policies reflect genuine concern for both DBM staff and government employees nationwide. As the saying goes, "a rising tide lifts all boats," which in economics suggests that when improvements are made, everyone benefits. The same can be said of empathy in leadership—it creates a supportive environment that boosts morale across the board.
Research supports this. A study by Ernst & Young found that 86 percent of employees believe empathetic leadership improves morale, and 78 percent said it reduces turnover, showing a clear link between empathy and employee retention. When leaders show genuine concern for their employees' well-being, it lifts overall performance and engagement.
In essence, empathy acts like that "rising tide" in the workplace, improving conditions for all, driving innovation, and ensuring a productive organizational culture. This aligns with the idea that a positive leadership approach benefits everyone, much like how economic growth lifts all segments of society.
Secretary Mina understands that a well-compensated, motivated workforce is essential for an effective government. Through initiatives like the new circular, she shows that leadership is about more than issuing directives—it’s about creating systems that work for people.
As Christmas approaches, government employees can look forward to receiving their bonuses and cash gifts on schedule, a gesture that symbolizes the efficiency, practicality, and empathy that define Secretary Mina’s leadership. At a time when trust in government is often fragile, it’s reassuring to see a leader who not only prioritizes results but also values the people behind them.
Secretary Mina continues to prove that good governance is about more than just the big picture—it’s about the small, everyday details that improve the lives of those who make the government run.
There is Hope!