What a pity

Last Wednesday’s suspension of classes due to Typhoon Florita was such a disaster. The Department of Education OIC Fe Hidalgo went on television and all she said was, "the suspension of classes will depend on the discretion of the school heads and public school principals". What a decision made by supposedly a head of a department. Why couldn’t she have been more firm and courageous to either declare that "classes are suspended" or "classes are not suspended"? Was she scared that if she had suspended classes the rains may stop? So what if the rains stop, it is a decision already made due to the current condition of the weather. Her decision which came rather late between 6:30 to 7:00 am left school heads and parents all the more confused.

Since the typhoon had no signal number in Metro Manila, Fe Hidalgo couldn’t make a decision because there are no guidelines written to cancel classes if Pagasa does not declare a signal level of the typhoon. But obviously on that day the winds were very strong and the clouds were dark and still she decided to be on the "safe side". Now is that the kind of leader the DepEd people are fighting for? She cannot even make simple decisions? (Remember the Malacañang incident with GMA, she could not even stand for her own beliefs?)

Amelia Biglete of CHED (who is a highly respected and efficient official) also took the "safe route". She proudly announced on TV that CHED has made a decision. Only to find out that CHED just like DepEd has left the decision to the school heads. So, in reality, both Dep Ed and CHED did not make any decision. In the first place why did you go on national television and act as if you had made a decision but in reality you did not? That decision was an "empty decision". Would going on TV add to your mileage? Sorry to say it but it just made you look like "lame ducks". Next time, be careful. Your reputation might be at stake since such display makes you look like weak leaders in the eyes of the public.

Why all the brawl? Well, with the awful traffic and transportation situation not to mention the floods due to clogged drainages in our country, the rains make it more difficult for commuters to travel. If private cars have difficulty traveling, what more the people taking public transportation?

Do you know the ordeal it takes to travel without a car? Yes, you have to walk a distance through the flood to get a jeep or a tricycle. Then when you get to the bus station or MRT/ LRT station, you wait in line for about an hour. Many times you fight your way to be the first in line or else you will be late for work. When you get to your destination you still need to walk or take another jeep ride. When you get to work or school, you are all soaking wet.

I tell you, government officials have no empathy at all for the people. Since they have cars to keep them all dry and warm, (while the people sacrifice) they don’t seem to consider the condition in the streets – the daily ordeal most Filipinos go through. Aren’t they called public servants? So why don’t they act as such!

When that announcement came out, many students were already in the school campuses. Some students were still arriving and others were preparing to go to school for the next session. After hearing the TV announcements, school heads took it upon themselves to give the verdict. They still had to consider several factors before deciding. Like will they resume morning classes even if many parents are calling and wanting to pick up their children? Will they wait until 10 am for the rains to stop and decide whether afternoon classes will resume? Will they postpone classes for the lower levels only? How many teachers are present/ absent/ late? What about the personnel what time should they be sent home? I understand the government that day sent their personnel home at noon time pa nga!

It’s a sad fact that even Malacañang had to step in. As early as 8 pm that same day, they declared that classes will be cancelled for the following day (Thursday). Couldn’t Fe Hidalgo have made that announcement to save face? I guess the higher ups did not consider this since she will be replaced by Congressman Jess Lapuz anyway. Poor Fe, I guess that is what you get for allowing people to push you around. You need to have more conviction.

Speaking about the change, why are DepEd personnel so unwelcoming? I know you have had a lot of miseries with all your bosses since they keep on changing the direction of the department but what a way to welcome a new Secretary. You have not worked with him yet and you are already condemning him. I hope Congressman Jess knows how to deal with such braggarts who all seem to want to become leaders. And who all seem to know what is best for their department. You guys have no respect. Give the new guy a chance to prove himself first.

This whole experience shows us how a leader should act in times of crisis, chaos or confusion. In the book, Secrets of Effective Leadership it states, "successful leaders have the courage to take action where others hesitate." To our government officials, a word of advice (from the abovementioned book): "your decisions will always be better if you do what is right for the country rather than what is right for yourselves." I hope you continue to strengthen your skills in leadership.