It's about time!

They say that “no moss gathers on a rolling stone”.

The idea is that if a person is constantly on the move or does not sit around long enough, it is unlikely that the person develops deep or meaningful relationships.

In the world of journalists, particularly “Reporters”, the traditional system was that reporters spend six months to a year at any given assignment or posting. The idea was to rotate reporters regularly so that everyone learned the ropes at different assignments without becoming too familiar.

Unfortunately, once in a while some whiz kid with a glib tongue comes along and sells the world a bad idea. In media and management that bad idea is called specialization or expertise. The idea is to keep people in their area of expertise or assignment because nothing beats “Experience”.

But something does beat “experience” and it’s called “a sense of entitlement”. When people are at an assignment for so long because they are the most experienced, they start to act like they own the place.

One sure sign that reporters have been in an assignment far too long is when they actually put up a “Press Corps” and feel they are part of the furniture. Anyone who can campaign and get elected and hold a position as an official of the Press Corps has far too much time in their hands and too little work to do as reporters.

When Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon announced that he was putting his foot down against alleged members of media who were doubling as fixers or brokers, there was a momentary murmur of rebellion, mostly from “fly-by-night, pretending to be” members of media.

This week, it was Assistant Secretary Virginia Torres who inflicted a surgical blow by announcing the closure of the LTO Press Office due to auditing and ethical concerns.

It is certainly about time that the government particularly the Executive and Legislative branch placed a magnifying glass over the practice of spending government and congressional funds for press rooms or media centers.

It is time to study and evaluate the ethical and financial boundaries wherein public space, public funds and government equipment should be utilized in order for media to do their work. 

What used to be “temporary working areas and telephones” after press conferences has in truth become an instrument of influence or a form of bribery. Beyond the work area and lines, press rooms and media centers have become “tambayans” or hangouts, merienda venues and places of business outside reportorial work.

The Commission on Audit should determine what departments, bureaus or agencies of government have spent public funds to put up a press room or media center and how much money was spent in total. They should even investigate dole outs and financial assistance given to media groups.

Historically, the PNP tops the chart in providing press rooms, The AFP major services have their own in major cities and commands, the various departments under Malacanang also have their own all the way down to the bureau level.

Tradition does not justify something that is wrong or has been abused. Yes, even the media needs a place to work but that is why we have our offices. We are supposed to cover a beat, not live in it.

As government officials begin to correct their mistakes, owners and officers of newspapers, radio and television stations must now take responsibility for their people in the field. If their people have gathered moss, you can be sure they have also gathered attitude, often the wrong kind.

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If the Government is not willing to make a sacrifice for the people, why should we expect the business sector to do it for them?

If the public transport sector is not willing to improve on their efficiency, why should they insist that the business sector suffer price cutbacks for their sake.

Politicians, especially those running for re-election are making a lot of noise on topics that are “price related”. One favorite target is the cost of fuel and their suggestion that current prices be cut back by P8 to P10.

As a car and driving enthusiast, the first thing I can say is: “start with ourselves”.

I’ve always said that the best way to fight back against high electricity or high fuel prices is by using less. The truth of the matter is that we want others to change because we don’t want the inconvenience of changing ourselves.

If you have a heavy foot on the pedal or love to go over 100 kph all the time, then you are using more gasoline so it is costing you more! After hearing how my friends won the Ford Economy run from Ilocos to Manila, I made a conscious effort to drive under 100 kph, I coasted down every chance I had and shifted gears as soon as possible. I saved P300 - P400 worth of gas.

Jeepney drivers and operators complain about not making money anymore. But no one ever paid attention to the fact that the jeepney that used to be “animan” or six passengers to each side are no longer authentic jeepneys but are light trucks pretending to be jeepneys carrying 20 to 25 passengers with much larger engines!

Tricycle drivers complain, but they over charge passengers compared to other public transports, from two passengers they have become “animan” or carry six passengers.

On the day we watch our speed limits, obey traffic laws, conform to transport standards and pay taxes, that’s when we can make demands from others.

Until then, Senators, Congressmen and fake transport leaders should first make personal sacrifices like paying for their own gasoline before imposing self concocted price adjustments that are more political than scientific.

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