CPA: A Model Gov't. Agency
When the alarm bell of major revenue decline went off at the beginning of this administration, it was the Commonwealth Ports Authority that took stock of its revenue generation and instituted rock solid austerity measures in its operations. It reduced work hours for all its employees.
Indeed, it was a difficult decision to impose upon employees, many of whom work as sole providers for their families. But it was the last ditch alternative lest CPA would be forced to begin a program of reduction in force. Yes, as difficult as it may seem, it employed real management skills to buy time so its revenue generation measures would gradually return to normalcy. Indeed, there are positive signs that such expectation is on the verge of full recovery and CPA now mulls granting employees their full 80 hours.
It goes to illustrate what a responsible government agency can do to turn “austerity” from slogan to actual practice. Apparently, most government managers have conveniently perpetuated austerity as just another slogan. It demonstrates the obvious lack of a sense of accountability in the management and disposition of our meager resources. These managers have consistently denied themselves the difficult task of real management skills so they too can learn to live in both good and bad times.
It is this loose sense of accountability and sloganeering in perpetuity that had productive private sector employees–who are victims of work hour or reduction in force–quizzing “Why us and not them?” There’s an obvious lack of resolve on the part of 99.9 percent of government managers to exercise accountability and some sense of responsibility.
In fact, the flaunting of the spoiler attitude amidst a crisis where jobs have become a rarity hasn’t and will never sink well in the empty stomachs of those seeking for jobs at a job market that has contracted substantially.
If anything, government managers need to go through a seminar on accountability, specifically, the employment of real management skills. And if per chance you need guest speakers for this conference, please make sure that you invite Messrs. Roman S. Palacios and Carlos H. Salas. They’d be able to give you a “Cake and Pony Show” on what real management entails. Si Yuus Maase`!
Strictly a personal view. John S. DelRosario Jr. is publisher of Saipan Tribune
