When our financial posture hits dirt

The Public School System was the first to institute trimming excess baggage to ensure that our children’s education isn’t compromised in the process. It’s a difficult first step but one that had to be undertaken as revenue generation decreases beyond our wildest imaginings.

The PSS can still muddle through this difficult times provided that it digs deep into its management skills to merge duplication of jobs so to weed redundant employees especially those who aren’t necessarily productive. In saying this, I know that this redundancy is prevalent in every department and agency of the local government.

That the Public School System has embarked on real austerity measures to guard against compromising the education of our children, it now turns this awfully hard challenge–more cuts in excess baggage elsewhere in government–into a mind numbing feat. But it must be done for the sake of keeping the three most essential departments in the delivery of public services such as education, health and public safety.

Every other department can be trimmed by as much as 30-50 percent in terms of the number of employees. That is to say, if reduction in work hours remains problematic because of the continuing plummet in annual revenues, then reduction in force must follow for it would no longer be an option. Here are some ways to deal with the situation:

• All government employees who qualify for retirement must be asked to retire or the alternative would be less friendly–placement on the first group in the program to institute reduction in force.

• All government leased cars must be returned (it’s worth some $1.4 million annually) limiting use of government vehicle strictly to the governor and lt. governor. All others must drive their own cars to work like the peons.

• The scholarship and medical referral programs must be delegated to the Office of Indigenous Affairs (combine the two functions of Chamorro and Carolinian Affairs) limiting use of funds from lease of our public land strictly to people of NMI descent for health and scholarships.

• Privatize the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation on a gradual basis. Privatization doesn’t necessarily mean the role of government turns history. It will still be around to guard the public interest in the delivery of services.

• CHC must strengthen its working relationship with privately run clinics so that outside patients are attended by their private physicians on a timely basis be it an emergency or catastrophic case.

• The Department of Labor and Immigration must go after all private businesses who have released some of their employees (because of the drop in business) so that they don’t get into moonlighting stints. It’s bad for both moonlighter and tax abiding citizens. If you know of any idle employees, call up DOLI and inform them accordingly.

• The Departments of DOLI and Commerce must also focus on recruitment agencies and all new businesses to weigh if in fact it can muddle through when business goes south. It’s vital that they are adequately funded so that they don’t violate employee rights, i.e., back wages, etc. Enforcement in this area is rather weak. It must be strengthened forthwith.

Indeed, this is one time in our developmental history when nothing seems to work. I sincerely hope that we’ve learned from the lessons of history so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes all over again. Paradigms have also changed and conventional methods of electing our leaders must also change with the time. We need to critically review their resumes` beginning this midterm election. Si Yuus Maase`!