The Ideal Bureaucracy: Is It Attainable in the Philippines?

Warning: Quite a long post ahead. I hope you could all bear with me.

WHAT IS BUREAUCRACY?

The existence of a bureaucracy is an essential component of every government regardless of the ideological line, and is one of the most crucial factors for the survival of the state. It is noteworthy that bureaucracy is not only applicable in the government service but could also be adopted by every private organization.

A few salient characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy as envisioned by Max Weber, the founder of Modern Sociology, are the “rationalization of collective activities” and the “attainment of the highest degree of efficiency.”

There is a domination of professionals by the bureaucrats and the dependence of the professionals on the bureaucracy. It only means that bureaucracy is highly professionalized from selection to the appointment process in the pursuit of merit. competence and performance.

A high performing bureaucracy means people who are able to adapt to the changing scenario against which government operates. This means new work competencies, retooling of skills, and mainstreaming the development of knowledge- based manpower capacities that would re-energize and enable a bureaucracy to cope with new requirements and expectations at the workplace.

MY POINTS  OF DISAGREEMENT

I work for the Philippine  government alright. I am an employee of the fourth most corrupt agency in the country.  I have seen the good, bad and even the worst. There’s a helluva lot of difference being a civil servant. I can tell the big difference because I have worked  for a private organization nine years ago for six long years.

Bureaucracy is a powerful tool, a necessity to deliver public goods. But I have made a rundown of bureaucracy at its worst, to wit:

1. The people in the bureaucracy are perceived in varying degrees of inadequacy and imperfections and not at all ideal. The government has failed to produce significant impact in terms of enhancing efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the bureaucracy. This may be largely explained by the lack of political will to achieve the true intent of reforms as embodied in development plans, laws and administrative issuances.
2. In the Philippines, the government is unable to attract the “best and the brightest” because being a civil servant is seen as less attractive as a career. It is perceived that government employees are less productive and less efficient.
3. Placement or promotion in government bears no sense of merit. Rather, it is based on “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) to recommending officials.
4. Job promotion is largely based on “whom you know” and not “what you know“. This is clearly manifested after election where an elected official would place in position those that have helped him win the race. Thus, giving in to the perceptions of  “palakasan” patronage or political concession on the part of the appointing authority.
5. Civil servants work based on mere compliance rather than strong commitment. Government employees tend to be impersonal. The vision of the organization is not being internalized. The sense of “ownership” of the organization is not being developed, hence indifference ensues.
6. The opportunities for corruption are present. There is a common notion that one can make easy and big money in the government. This is an apparent fact for these honorable crooks who have entered into contracts for bringing services to its constituents. The bidding processes have become an easy venue for these people to maneuver things in their favor for the realization of their vested interests.
7. The security of tenure, (which also gives immunity from suits to some public officials), prevents the removal of incompetent people from the bureaucracy. These megalomaniacs in the government tightly cling on to power even if they have betrayed the public’s trust. They hide themselves behind the rules, regulations and procedures.
8. There is perceived laxity in the implelentation of administrative rules and regulations resulting to inefficiency and red tape. The government’s inability to fully implement the rules and regulations have led to the apparent rise in the number of cases of graft and corruption.

CONCLUSION

The ideal bureaucracy envisioned by Max Weber is still in the process of development in the Philippines. Despite the prevailing negative perception of the Philippine bureaucracy, it is significant to note that the government never stopped on its efforts in re-engineering the government in a more serious, calculated, and strategic way. Many reforms were initiated such as the professionalization and streamlining of the bureaucracy, devolution, privatization, and the like.

The government is only the facilitator, enabler, catalyst and champion of the greater mass of people who have little or no access to the opportunities and benefits of development.

Civil servants should not aim for profit or gain. It’s main goal is to serve the common tao. However, this goal escaped the minds of the few who chose the path of personal aggrandizement, bowing to the call of greed and power. They trample on the laws and make a mockery of the government, casting a negative light on majority of the civil servants who are honest and law-abiding.

Change could not be attained overnight. It is a tedious process where everyone must take part. It is about time that everyone must come to terms with the fact that working in and for the bureaucracy entails a lot of sacrifice and dedication.

We all can do something for our country. Instead of complaining, finding faults and blaming others for whatever has gone wrong, we should look into ourselves and try to do the little things that when put together will make all the difference!

I wish you blue skies and all things nice,