Government officials should be the example

“If we could ever make red tape nutritional, we can feed the world.” - Robert Schaeberle

We have long held the belief that our elected government officials must set the example for the rest of the country and be model citizens. They are supposed to be the best and the brightest in the Philippines. The main motto (ironically?) of President Diosdado Macapagal’s administration was simple living. It is something to which we all (most especially our government officials) should aspire.

We would hazard to guess that some of the most difficult and stressful jobs in the country are in government. At times government employees must be caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place: self-interested politicians and “leaders” and citizens who are cranky because of the broken and inefficient government bureaucracy. And really, around the world there are very few more demonized than bureaucrats. It is very difficult to think of a more thankless job than that of a government employee. And yet, they are the backbone of the country, they provide an invaluable service to the nation.

The truth is our government employees do an admirable job with what they have at their disposal. For many, they have to soldier on and attempt to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, while using old equipment, working in antiquated buildings and with very little help from leadership at the top. Yet, they do their jobs and despite overwhelming odds they keep the government moving along. On the whole, with some exceptions, our government employees are an underappreciated lot. They do the best they can with the hand dealt by the elected politicians and the wholly inefficient and antiquated bureaucracy they inherited.

From November 30 to December 6 it will be National Government Employees Week: the theme of which is Paglingap sa Kalikasan Tungkulin ng Bawat Kawani ng Pamahalaan.  This is an admirable endeavor and one we support. Everyone should be educated about environmental issues, especially those in government. Government officials and employees are servants of the people and stewards of the land.

The simple fact is, many government employees put themselves at risk every day when they go to work. Yes, there is corruption in the system (and a lot of it) but the vast majority of those working in government are good and honest people, who are working to do the best job they possibly can and serve the country. We should recognize the hard and difficult job that government employees do on a daily basis. We applaud groups such as the Philippine Government Employees Association (who are celebrating their 64th anniversary this year) for organizing the week-long celebration.

The greatest thing a national leader can bestow the nation is a great example. No one will listen to the advice of a leader who cannot set the example. Our national leaders and elected officials should realize that their comportment reflects upon everyone who is in public service. People look at the government and by extension government employees with distrust, because of the example of their leadership. The best way to honor our government employees, and make their jobs easier, is to hold our elected officials to a higher standard. With the elections coming we should focus on selecting candidates who will treat the Philippine government not as their personal fiefdom, but with respect and integrity. We are sure the most appreciative and thankful will be our government employees.