A comprehensive - information handbook will do the trick

I find it so confusing that municipalities in the Philippines have their own directives and guidelines. For such a small country, we have to master too many ordinances that do not even make sense. Isn’t there a way for all the mayors to re-align and streamline their mandates?

I suggest that each municipality come out with a city handbook containing all the information and guidelines needed for citizens to know what to do. After collecting all our taxes, shouldn’t we be given information of the various government services, directories/ hotlines, schedules and procedures? I hope the Philippine National Police, the LTO, the MMDA, the BIR and other agencies also come out with comprehensive information booklets for public consumption. By having such, we follow one rule. I am sure this move will also bring consistency in the job making things clear for both the officers and the citizens.

As it is everything in this land seems wayward. It has become a dog-eat-dog situation. Matira ang matibay, so they say. Everyone seems to be interpreting the law in their own way, custom-fit to suit their needs. Having a handbook will bring clarity to our senses. It will control and balance the rules of the game. This should be a requirement of every mayor, (even a barangay for that matter) and every head of a department or an agency. Thereby, assuring the public that every government official is forced to follow what is written and we do not need to be lawyers or get lawyers to interpret or misinterpret the law.

Singapore is a good model. Every district has an information booklet of government services. Their Police Force has a booklet available to all citizens on Police Procedures which contain: Procedures on Police Assistance, Making Police/Traffic Accident Reports, Arrests, Custody, Bail Procedures, etc. The citizens know what to do and what to expect. A far cry from our situation in this country where citizens are easily fooled by ogres, trolls or gnomes in uniform.

The handbook or information booklet is a viable tool in developing a better society where citizens will no longer be the victims of events but thanks to clear cut information, citizens will become responsible and instrumental in the progress of society.

Having the awareness (literacy) is a key to a better society. Ignorance of the law excuses no one. If the people continue to circumvent the law, violence, corruption and poverty will remain the evils that plague our society.

It’s about time the government empowers the public with basic information to be more responsible and civic oriented. P-Noy having strong sentiments for People Power crusade must sustain the fervor by mobilizing the people to counter corruption in the different communities. Citizens working together will foster powerful results. Perhaps this is one aspect of the promise of EDSA revolution that needs to be reborn and strengthened.

The power of the people will bring about good changes in government and society. People Power is not just about speeches and celebrating the past. It should be about celebrating the future by empowering the people to take a stand. The greater the number of people who speak up, the greater the number of people who will take action and who will be vigilant, the more likely it is that change will occur.

Our country is gifted with people who care. P-Noy must take advantage of this “civic power” through non-violent struggle. It is using that collective voice and exerting pressure to curb corruption in all offices whether big or small.

If a system is rotten, it’s hard to clean it up from the inside because those benefitting from corruption will not voluntarily want to give up their benefits. Civic power can shake-up the system itself, making it more difficult for corruption to continue.

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Yesterday P-Noy announced the new AFP Chief, Air Force Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban, Jr.. Unfortunately, it seems P-Noy has not learned the lessons of the past government where GMA had been criticized for her “revolving door” policy of naming short-term chiefs of staff. The new AFP Chief of Staff will retire in nine months. We need leaders who will have enough time to fortify the foundations of government. They should at least serve for three years in order to be able to institute reforms.

Across the AFP headquarters along EDSA (in Camp Crame) is another Chief who is about to retire. A new PNP Chief awaits his turn in September as Gen. Raul Bacalzo retires. Alikabok says that a strong contender for the position is NCRPO Chief Nicanor Bartolome. Well, if this is so then, it serves him right. He deserves to be the head of the PNP after all his drug busts in the past weeks.

PDIR Bartolome is a multi-skilled and decorated Commissioned Officer. He headed the series of drug buy-bust operations in the region that led to the arrest of nine foreign nationals and the recovery of P1.719 billion worth of “shabu.” He was instrumental in the neutralization of the following groups: Abdul Nasser Solaiman aka Johnny Claw, Cotabato’s Public Enemy number 1; the most wanted kidnap for ransom group headed by Abogado Gado aka Commander Mubarak; and the notorious gun-for-hire syndicate headed by Moktar Abdullah aka Solaiman Dimasalang. For his dedicated service he received two Distinguished Service Medals, two Heroism Medals, four Special Service Medals, two Outstanding Achievement Medals, one Bronze Cross Medal, two Good Conduct Medals and numerous Military/PNP Merit and Commendation Medals for combat and law enforcement accomplishments. What more can we ask for?