ENDEAVOR
Brought up by parents who were lifelong government employees, and having worked in the government, too, I have realized the important contributions of workers in government in the life of the nation. I write this while noting the high tide of negative sentiments generated by the revisions proposed by Congress that were thumbed down by the executive branch, resulting in the enactment of a slightly reduced national budget — formally known as the General Appropriations Act — that was signed into law by President Marcos last Dec. 30, coinciding with the observance of Rizal Day.
Compared to India, there is relatively low public awareness, much less interest in the national budget. In the early 2000s, while teaching in Asian Institute of Management (AIM) executive programs in India, I was impressed by the high level of public interest in a specific item that concerned millions of Indian nationals on their finance minister’s budget proposal, namely, the schedule of fares to be charged by the national railway.
Zooming out into the bigger picture, there is scant public interest in the nitty-gritty, or on the basic facts of our national budget. But this, in turn, is rooted in a low regard for the value or significance of government service that is attributed to a widespread perception of corruption. What is often overlooked is that “it takes two to tango.” If there is a bribe taker, there is also a bribe giver — and the web of corruption continues.
For my first column in 2025, I wish to focus attention on the significant contributions of my co-workers in government service. I salute them for their competence, enthusiasm and devotion to duty.
In December 1990, while there was an ongoing standoff between the Armed Forces and renegade elements of the AFP who had initiated a coup attempt against then President Corazon Aquino, there were hundreds of dedicated employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) who toiled long hours to complete the documentation that would enable agrarian reform beneficiaries to obtain certificates of land transfer following the enactment of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) in June 1988. It was my responsibility as DAR undersecretary to oversee these activities.
The Region 3 (Central Luzon) office then headed by Director Wilfredo ‘Willie’ Leaño emerged as the top performing region, while virtually all regional offices met their self-imposed targets. I salute then DAR Secretary Miriam Defensor Santiago for infusing enthusiasm and motivating employees to give their best. As a post-script, she resigned after she was unable to secure confirmation from the Commission on Appointments. Fortunately, she shifted gears and served as Senator after losing out to Fidel Ramos in the closely fought 1992 presidential elections.
I opted to leave DAR and accepted an invitation to serve as undersecretary at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) from January 1990 to December 1991 under Secretary Oscar Orbos. I worked with two outstanding civil servants: Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Manuel Sabalza and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Remedios Salazar-Fernando.
Manny Sabalza was a manager who led by example. He rose above pettiness and intrigues by dint of his no-nonsense, highly focused approach.
Mids Fernando went on to serve with distinction as a Commission on Elections commissioner and presiding justice of the Court of Appeals. I recall that during her stint at the LTFRB, a quasi-judicial body, she made it a point to meet with owners and representatives of stakeholder entities only in her office, politely refusing invitations to meetings held in luxury hotels or similar venues. Chief Justice Gesmundo said during her retirement ceremony: “The wisdom you imparted, the compassion you demonstrated, and the standard of excellence you set, serving as an inspiration to others, will forever be etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have worked alongside you.”
I was privileged to serve as head of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) in President Corazon Aquino’s office from January to July 1991. I am particularly grateful to two co-workers who served as my executive assistants: Virginia ‘Edgie’ Luis-Ballesteros and Edna Sy.
During my second stint in the DOTC during the Estrada administration from 1998 to 2000, my office implemented the Maritime Safety Improvement Project on the installation of modern lighthouses in strategic points and the rehabilitation of existing ones. I was assisted by a highly competent team led by Assistant Secretary George Esguerra.
In-between my two brief stints at the DOTC, I was involved in the North Luzon Railways (Northrail) project under the aegis of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) then led by Chairman Victor Lim, my colleague in the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) faculty. I worked with a highly competent project team headed by engineer Steve Cases who was seconded by the UP Transport Training Center.
I was fortunate to have served during the entirety of President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino’s administration from June 2010 to June 2016 as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). Edna Sy, who was my executive assistant at the PMS in 1991, was seconded to PCOO. She served with utmost dedication and distinction, enabling me to keep abreast with the hectic pace of work and the highly challenging task of being Communications Secretary during a highly eventful presidential tenure.
Zandro Sison extended valuable support in enabling my office to respond appropriately to media’s information needs.
Allan Capulong established a daily feedback monitoring system on public sentiment generated by the President’s website which hosted social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter) in his name.
Notable too, was the excellent support I received from my undersecretaries, the late Edgardo Visperas, Jess Yu, Jan Co Chua, George Syliangco, Lesley Ann Cordero, Jose ‘Joe’ Fabia, Jose Mari Oquiñena, and Rey Marfil. Also highly supportive were assistant secretaries Zaldy de Layola, Cathryne Jonne ‘CJ’ Licudine, and Paolo Espiritu.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) served as the backbone of the PCOO’s field network in the regions and provinces, meriting a Philippine Quality Award Level 1 recognition in 2013 and ISO 9000 certification in 2015. Its management team was composed of the late Bel San Buenaventura-Capul, Nilo Mamaclay, Riza Jose-Baldoria, and Girlie Bangunan. Among the regional directors were Helen Tibaldo, Purita Licas and Macky Arzadon.
PTV-4’s modernization was shepherded by Radio-TV Malacañang (RTVM) Executive Director Lito Nadal and Director Ten Mariano. National Printing Office (NPO) attained budgetary autonomy under General Manager Emmanuel Andaya and Assistant Director Raul Nagrampa.
The APO Production Unit was given the task of being the official printer of the Philippine passport in 2015. It has been cited by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) for achieving a turnaround and becoming a viable, self-sustaining enterprise. The late Jaime Aldaba, who served as general manager, was primarily responsible for elevating its operating capabilities.
Indeed, I have been blessed by an abundance of fellow workers who selflessly shared their talents and expertise in rendering dedicated service to the Filipino people. May their tribe increase!
Comments may be sent to [email protected].