President Rodrigo Duterte once again expressed his deep disdain for government employees who are giving the public a hard time when it comes to filing government permits and documentation.
In the recently concluded Banana Congress in Davao City on Fri, Oct 7, Duterte announced that he will be dedicating one hour every morning in his upcoming TV program on government-run PTV4 for complaints against lousy, inefficient or corrupt government services.
It’s not a secret that in Davao City, business permits only take a maximum of three days to file and finalize. In some parts of the Philippines, that piece of paper could take months to process!
Talk about extrajudicial waiting.
“Lahat ng Filipino na nakatikim ng (of red tape), whether it’s in the permit sa office of the mayor, or an electrical clearance or way of right already paid but unimplemented, i-text mo na lang… The [name of the] government official, do not add your name,” Duterte explained.
(All Filipinos who have had a taste of red tape), whether it’s in the permit sa office of the mayor, or an electrical clearance or way of right already paid but unimplemented, just send a text… The [name of the] government official, do not add your name.)
Just like his public service program when he was still the mayor of Davao City, Duterte plans to raise the public’s concerns and act on it right away.
“Ang sabi ko sa mga taga gobyerno eh (I told those in the government) — and I will see to it — you are dismissed. I do not give a shit if you are a director, or a general,” Duterte said about public servants who will be found guilty of red tape.
He also gave a word of advice for anyone planning to file for a business permit or similar government documentation.
He said in a GMA News report, “If you are made to go back and forth, magtext lang kayo (just send a text). No more names. Magtext lang kayo, ako na ang bahala.”
The tough-talking president also asked for the public’s participation to help him find wrongdoings in the government.
“Pag ‘di niyo ako tulungan, wala talaga akong magawa para sa inyo. If you do not help me ferret out the bad guys, eh di ‘wag kayong mag-complain ng corruption corruption,” he pointed out.
(If you do not help me, I really can’t do anything for you. If you do not help me ferret out the bad guys, then don’t complain about corruption.)
