Is the meaning of “public service” already forgotten and lost in translation? Yes, so it seems, if we are to refer to the actions of government workers who stood “high and mighty” when dealing with ordinary Filipinos.
Based on recent events, recorded via video and viral online, personnel from different government agencies were seen ignoring the pleas of their customers, power tripping on departing airline passengers, or demanding extra payment for services that shouldn’t be paid in the first place. The hapless and helpless customers — the Filipino people — were shamed, left angry, or in the case of travelers, made poorer in their plight.
Those rude days are (hopefully) over! Senator Raffy Tulfo filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 554, appropriately called the “Anti-Taray” Bill. This SR seeks to “investigate the arrogant and snobbish government workers who are creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust in public institutions, agencies, and offices.”
“It is time to punish government workers who disrespect, shame, shout, or oppress our fellow Filipinos who go to their offices for legitimate transactions. A government employee must be patient and humble, not disrespectful and rude,” said Tulfo in a statement.
The senator noted that it is often the poor citizens who are not properly assisted by government workers on duty; worse, they are often insulted, humiliated or shouted at. This behavior must come to an end, and Tulfo’s bill will “disarm” government workers found to be guilty of misconduct, harassment, and even human rights violations. Once crafted and passed into law, the Anti-Taray Bill will sanction rude and snobbish government workers with tougher penalties such as dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public office.
“Government workers should treat the Filipino public as their boss since their compensation is being paid for by the citizens,” Tulfo stressed. Therefore, government workers should be “respectful, patient, and understanding in discharging their duties; they are not worthy to hold a position in public office if they cannot be courteous to the public.”
This SR is important in a way since guilty government workers are often penalized with just a slap on the wrist, after a few months, they go back to their same old ways. It is also timely, especially as we hear multiple horror stories happening inside immigration offices, city halls, police stations, or barangay centers.
The essence of government work is public service. Studies refer to these seven core values of public service that every government worker must possess: Responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, leadership, human rights, and respect. It would be hard for anyone who wants to go into public service without knowing how to respect others, especially those who may have the least in our society.
It is very clear that each government worker has a role and duty to fulfill and to implement due diligence especially when dealing with departing passengers or those requesting for documents or licenses. Could all these tasks be done efficiently and, at the same time, in a respectful manner? An affirmative answer is the least requirement. If not, there’s the Anti-Taray Bill to slap some sense into these rude government workers.