Gov. Defensor: A Master of Public Administration October 10, 2014, Panay News Bridges by SAMMY JULIAN EFFECTIVE public sector management depends on the knowledge, expertise and skills of professionals who have a sophisticated understanding of public policy and administration. With this, every decision or action of a public administrator must be based on the premise that such is being done as a trustee of the people. It being one done for someone else, that someone else collectively called “the people,” the action must be one for the benefit of the one who gives the trust. Relative to every plan or decision or action of the public administrator is transparency. Every public administrator has no discretion to hide things. The public officer must therefore remember that secrecy breeds suspicion and suspicion erodes public trust. An administrator who has no trust of the public is like an administrator who has no authority to do the things he has been elected to do. Accountability is another principle of public governance. Public officials must understand that they must answer for whatever outcome each decision they make and every action they take. Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. knows this fully well. This is the reason why he has been able to continue working as a public administrator almost non-stop without a single blemish in his reputation. Much of his life has been spent in institutions dedicated to public administration: as mayor of Mina, Iloilo, an assemblyman in the then Batasang Pambansa for two years from 1984 to 1986, undersecretary of Education, commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government from 1988 to 1992, as governor from 1992 to 1998, as congressman representing the 3rd District of Iloilo from 2001 to 2007, and again as governor in 2010 until today. Defensor clearly devoted a large part of his life to public service because of his firm belief that politics can and does make a difference to the people’s lives, to society and to a country. And as he has gotten older, he has come to realize that the biggest problems we face in contemporary governance are often not related to what the government should do, but rather how to actually get the existing machinery to implement a policy that everyone can agree upon. Without an iota of doubt, Gov. Defensor speaks from a history of achievement, from the experience of his proven performance, and from his belief in the right and dignity of man. When the people knows that their leader holds their efforts, sacrifices and dedication as a sacred trust, there is basis for very effective communication. This is where super achievement is created. While the perfect leader may be non-existent, we should sum up the qualities such a person would have. First, he would be a man who can make good, fearless decisions. Second, he would be intelligent and knowledgeable. Third, he would have a deep understanding and concern for his people. Fourth, he would be creative and enthusiastic. Finally, he would be fair and just. If you think that no man has all these leadership traits, think again. Defensor has all these and more. He has the type of personality that generates feelings of love, respect and commitment in other people. He manages his operation through the force of his ability to device unique methods and approaches, to see ideas, and to formulate original concepts. Well, the government needs such intelligent, far-seeing creative people at all levels of its organizational structure. Gov. Defensor is the kind of public official who generate new ideas and who are innovative. His dissatisfaction with routine and commonplace thinking can make a strong push toward change and growth. Is it not that the intelligence that we are looking for in government more than what an IQ test attempts to measure? It is intelligence plus human understanding, breadth of capability, judgment, reason, imagination, curiosity, and the desire to learn and grow. The time has come for people to realize that Defensor is a man who possesses all these admirable personalities. It is only proper that the deeds of this adventurous and bold man be properly recognized. For his distinguished leadership in and contributions to the field of public administration and his unwavering passion to serve his fellowmen, it is only fitting for the Iloilo governor to be conferred the degree Doctor of Public Administration, honoris causa, by the Central Philippine University (CPU) during its 87th Commencement Exercises to be held at the CPU Rose Memorial Auditorium at 3 p.m. on Oct. 26. The conferment of the degree Doctor of Public Administration, honoris causa, to Defensor was approved by the CPU Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Committee on Honorary Degree. Throughout his career as a public administrator, Defensor lived by a single very practical moral position: ethics in work. Now, these are two important words – work and ethic. A work ethic is needed to succeed and create prosperity, to create wealth which benefits not only individuals but the whole of society. But Defensor need not proclaim how important work ethic in his life as he is now one of the poles of governance in Iloilo. He is a good example of great ethics and a man of values and principles because he knows how to bring together human wisdom, just spirituality and the world of public governance. Due to all these, he succeeded in giving what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and what belongs to God to God. Defensor does not fear for tomorrow and fear what destiny hides for him. He is aware that his vision and his resilience create his capacity. His capacity leads him towards achieving his goals. The Iloilo chief executive sets his goals and draws his future and his destiny with his own hands, armed with the vision, the education and knowledge has acquired from learning institutions and his environment. He does not become frustrated by his nation and he does not let anxiety or fear control him. The honoris causa granted to Defensor is a direct reflection of his professional career and his success in achieving his goals./PN
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 23:52:37 +0000
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