Allan Mark R.

Ong
MPM 1A
Whose framework/theory/paradigm is the most relatable to you, as far as your work-
experience is involved?

Public administration as a political science, specifically Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene

theory. This paradigm in my opinion, is the closest framework relatable to what we have not
just in our work experience, but in our overall work environment as well. As what is known
already, Zamboanga City Water District is a government owned and controlled corporation.
As such, almost all common practices, norms, cultures bound, assumed or prejudiced
against/for a government agency is also being experienced by the district. In short, public
opinion on the district has not been on the positive side lately, and so as a lot of other
government agencies as well. The fact of the matter is, these opinions are not just obscene
gestures, but comes with reasonable merit based on their experiences when doing business or
any transaction with the district. With this prelude, I will limit my discussions on the
negative(dissatisfaction) aspect of the theory since this is more crucial in any efforts to try to
improve work environment or at least mediate it.

With the abovementioned situation, these consequences may be attributed to the fact that
there exists a certain level of politics within the district, although politics alone is not solely
to blame for all the turmoil being experienced right now. As an example, certain managers
treats a certain subordinate better than the other. In turn, these better treated employees act
like the manager themselves already and creates a cloudy environment within the workplace.
Another is, when a certain plantilla becomes vacant, these are almost always reserved for a
certain person, regardless of availability of others being better and more competitive. Hiring
and/or promotion becomes a political power instead. There also exists a political agenda in
the budgeting. For instance, a certain department gets a more frequent budget approval, while
others receive frequent budget cuts, regardless of urgency and/or importance. Tardiness and
absences are also marred with politics; certain employees can get away with too many
tardiness without having to worry any consequences. Included in this situation are the several
employees loafing during office hours and also those loitering in places their not supposed to
be.

These are only a few instances or situation where public administration is taken a politics
move. Their actions are justified by the fact that technically; they are actually doing nothing
wrong. They exercise their powers and privileges to the full extent regardless of public
opinion. And with this, comes direct and indirect animosity within the work environment.

Job dissatisfaction is a serious matter that needs to be mended as soon as possible as it does
not only affect employer-employee relationship, it also affects productivity above all.
Productivity, more than anything else is the driving force of any organization or agency. If
productivity is poor or inefficient, then there is very little need for the services rendered by
the same organization, company or agency. Truth is, we as only as good as our products.