EDITORIAL - About time

Clocks will be synchronized to reflect the official time at the grand launch today of “Juan Time” – a campaign that seeks to encourage punctuality among Filipinos. Philippine Standard Time is set scientifically and can be viewed on the website of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration at http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

The Department of Science and Technology, which initiated the project, noted that differences in clock settings could lead to tardiness. DOST officials hope synchronizing the time nationwide will minimize “Filipino time” or the habitual tardiness that is perceived to be a national trait.

“Juan Time” is not the first effort to discourage “Filipino time.” Other campaigns have been launched in recent years to break the habit, indicating that this is a festering problem and it is not entirely unfair to see tardiness as a Filipino trait. In other cultures, it is considered rude to keep other people waiting. In this country, it seems, arriving late is seen as a status symbol, a privilege of the VIP or special guest.

Regardless of the reason for tardiness, Filipinos who still believe in being “fashionably late” tend to find themselves being left behind in this age of high-speed technology and on-time operations. Punctuality – or its absence – also gives a good indication of an individual’s personality. Imelda Marcos, at the height of her power, kept guests waiting for several hours before making a grand entrance. Corazon Aquino, even during her presidency, made it a point to be on time, often arriving earlier than expected.

There are many Filipinos who are as punctual as Cory Aquino and resent the term “Filipino time.” But there are also many others who can use a nudge toward accurate time-keeping. Tardiness is not just an act of discourtesy but also inefficient time management. It is bad for national productivity and reinforces perceptions that Filipinos are slow, lazy and underachievers. It’s time to relegate “Filipino time” to a bygone era.