By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
Last week, I passed by the office of the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR). Knowing how busy he was, it was a long shot he would be there. But, lo and behold, he was there. He was with a media personality working for that department, as they informed me. I volunteered it was good news as the media personality would contribute immensely to the office’s dealings with media people and outfits. Meaning the flow of information from that office to the public through the press should vastly improve. That is part of the matters covered by the phrase “public relations.”
Over cups of coffee, we had a jolly powwow, a very good way to start the day. Our talk strayed into corruption in government agencies, particularly in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The regional director, Dr. Cameron P. Odsey, then revealed what I think is the practical solution to that unsolvable Philippine problem, corruption in infrastructure projects. It was culled from his experience as manager of the CORDILLERA HIGHLAND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE PROJECT (CHARMP 1 and 2). So it was validated on the ground all over this region and should work throughout the country.
The only possible hindrance would be the politicians who will not like it because the system, if implemented will curb in a big way their corrupt practices.
First step in the process which is participatory is informing the people of a locality of the existence of funds which can be used for a project to help them have better or easier life, or to help them get out of the mire of poverty. It will be the people who will identify the project they need most. Seems easy but only on paper. Just selecting the right project can involve a lot of interminable debates, even bickering. This takes time and effort, meantime expenses would be rolling as the people would have to be fed every time they are called, otherwise, they would not be interested. When the answer to the question is finally settled, on to the next.
How will the project be implemented? Suddenly, everyone would become experts resulting in a cacophony of divergent voices. Getting all these voices to agree would surely be a hippopotamus of a problem, requiring time, unlimited patience and, certainly, expenses. When the solution is finally arrived at, then on to the next question.
Who will undertake the project? Yes, this will not be easy to answer by getting a consensus. A lot of disagreements will happen and by the time the problem is settled, everyone would have become an expert debater.
How to monitor proper implementation? Answering this will be as troublesome as the rest.
Sure, it will not be easy, it will take time and patience, and it will be expensive.
But when all the practical considerations are settled by the people themselves, then the project will be smooth sailing and the people, being the beneficiaries, will make sure the project will be properly executed or implemented. And politicians will not dare meddle in a bad way. Otherwise, he will lose the votes of the people involved.
There would also be no useless projects which were actually not needed but undertaken only for corruption purposes.
Once the project is accomplished, aside from the material benefits and other returns in the form of services the people will get, they will feel a sense of accomplishment. They will have a proprietary sense over it and would take care of it. Above all, they will feel empowered and could then say “they are the masters of their fate.”
That process is the right way. But government would not adopt it. Run by politicians, the Philippine government will always do things the wrong way. Otherwise, it would not be the Philippine government.**
