While it is true that the quality of public service in the country leaves much to be desired, this is not necessarily the result of the ineptitude of government employees. Currently, there are many issues affecting the lives of public sector employees not only on a personal level, but also in their professional lives. Many of these issues are in one way or another the result of ever-changing government policies and priorities.
Likewise, the public servants' efforts to organize and unite around a common agenda and action instructions are challenged by the same issues. In terms of gender, more than half or 53% of the total workforce are women and the remaining 47%. However, many of these have already been eaten up by continued inflation and the declining value of the Philippine peso.3.
Source: "Questions and Scammers of Shame Cases in the Philippines-A Preliminary Reiew, UP-SAIR, Uiversty of the Philippines, November 2004. Of the various public programs of the government, education and health are among the highest priorities. data show that there is a huge disparity between the number of available health workers and the size of the population to be served.
At present, the backbone of the country's health care both in rural and urban areas are the barangay health workers. Source: "Issues and Concerns of Public Sector Unions in the Philippines - A Preliminary Review, UP-SOLAIR, University of the Philippines, November 2004. Privatization of public facilities is one of the main components of the development programs of past and present administrations.
As a result of this government action, there have been massive layoffs of government personnel, resulting in more unemployed Filipinos. The future of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is causing many concerns among government employees. Among government agencies, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is perceived as one of the most corrupt.
Following the constitutional guarantee of the right to self-organize, then-President Corazon C. The RP will cover all branches of the executive branch, including all agencies and GOCCs. Compensation of affected personnel placed in the CSC manpower pool is transferred from the parent agency to the CSC by the DBM.
Many groups of concerned individuals and public sector workers strongly oppose and dispute the implementation of RP.
Options that may not be options at all
When the personal whims of public officials become the basis for appointing selected individuals to elective government positions rather than the merits and qualifications of potential applicants for a position, attempts to form a professional corps of civil servants will always fail. Since the appointees are dependent on their political patrons for their positions, they regard the government only as a temporary agency, and a government position merely a reward rather than a responsibility.13.
Assistance Programs which are short-lived
This practice strongly affects the quality of public service as it prevents the bureaucracy from becoming professionalised. In the past two decades, numerous livelihood assistance programs have already been implemented by different agencies in various sectors. Sufficient capital, appropriate skills, proper support programs especially in the marketing aspect, appropriate technology and a supportive environment are very important.
Displaced employees may have some capital to start with, but having lost a steady source of income, they would be subsisting on the same funds every day, which would eventually deplete and the project fail. Credit assistance can be obtained from institutions that offer such support, but this would imply financial obligations for the borrowers in terms of paying the principal and its interest. In addition, loan applications also involve a lot of paperwork and require additional resources in terms of time and money to follow up.
Job facilitation will certainly help in providing alternative employment but there may be restrictions in terms of age requirements as private companies set age limits. These schemes contributed greatly to the country's problems of underemployment and unemployment, which were pegged at 20.5% and 7.7%. Many of our nurses and other medical related courses graduates have gone overseas for better job opportunities.
From 1999 to 2004, it is estimated that over 50,000 Filipino nurses left the country to work in hospitals, nursing homes and other rehabilitation facilities in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. This exodus of Filipinos to other countries deprives the Philippines of skilled and competent workers, especially in the areas of basic social services such as health and education. In a recent study by the Philippine Hospital Association, over 1,000 tertiary and secondary hospitals have already closed due to lack of staff.
This is a major cause for alarm, especially in a country like the Philippines, where the healthcare system is already very challenged.
Brain drain in the country
The result of such a trend is the dequalification of the country's human resources, while at the same time depleting the economy of highly qualified workers and professionals." and the one who remained in the country.
Worsen poverty
Meanwhile, the salary of public sector workers remains the same as that pegged by the SSL. Moreover, social dialogue can be a tool to promote a stronger relationship between public sector officials and employees. But the biggest challenge lies with the leaders and members of existing trade unions in the public sector.
They have the greatest responsibility for informing and mobilizing other workers in the public sector about the issue. A sustained education and information campaign on public sector worker issues, especially Executive Order 366 and RP - information should reach the furthest government employees, as no one will be spared the effects of EO 366. A deeper understanding of the issues they will face later will help facilitate their mobilization.
Study the structure and programs of the organization. This will provide unions with an in-depth knowledge of how the structure works and what opportunities exist that can be maximized to promote the interests of public sector workers. It is also necessary to ensure the welfare of government workers who will remain in the service. Connect with other unions (local and international), share experiences and develop areas of coordination not only in the public sector, but in any other sector that can be helpful.
Only when the public sector is united and in one direction can it be able to influence programs and policies. 5 "Strategic Alliance on Social Dialogue in the Public Sector." PSLINK Advocacy Papers, PSLINK, Civil Service Commission, Confederation of Laut Employees and Civil Servants of Denmark, October 2003. 7 http://www.unesco.org, as mentioned in "Strategic Alliance on Social Dialogue." PSLINK Advocacy Papers, Quezon City.
34; Who Makes Money from Pits." Betraying the Public Trust: Investigative Reporting on Corruption. Quezon City: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. 34; The Economy in 2002: A Shattered Illusion." Birdtalk Economic and Political Briefing.lbon Foundation , Inc., Manila. 34; Who Makes Money from Pits." Betrayal of Public Trust: Investigative Reporting on Corruption. Quezon City: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
34;The Trade Union in a Developing Economy." Union Behavior in the Philippines 1946-1990. Quezon City: Ateneo De Manila University Press. 34; The Role of Public Sector Unionism in the Promotion of Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector." in The Government Rationalization Program (EO 366): Addressing Implementation and Transition Issues. Proceedings of a National Dialogue on Government Rationalization, convened by the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Philippines Office, SOLAIR Auditorium, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City, July 6, 2005.
