Name: Lacuesta, Aizami F.

Date: November 5, 2022

Course & Section: BPA 1B

Essay about The Current Face of The Philippine Public Administration

Philippine public administration as a field of study was officially introduced in the

1950s, when Americans established the Institute of Public Administration at the University of
the Philippines on June 15, 1952. We were the first country to offer Public Administration
degree programs in Asia in 1952 (Torneo, 2020). Since the founding of the Institute of Public
Administration, the field of study and profession of Philippine Public Administration has
grown and spread throughout the nation with the shifting political, administrative, and
economic landscape. This has been clear ever since the Institute of Public Administration
altered its name and focus four times to reflect the country's developing interest in the study of
the field of public administration. On November 26, 1998, the Institute of Public
Administration changed its name to the National College of Public Administration and
Governance, or NCPAG, primarily due to the expansion of its emphasis from governmental
management to governance for the public interest (UPNCPAG). Today, more than 200
Universities and colleges offer the same program and degrees (Find University), recognizing
the significance of the study of public administration in the growth of the Philippine
government system.

Although the face of public administration as a field of study rapidly changing and
developing, there is undeniably a problem with its field of practice. As stated earlier, the US
government had a direct effect that shaped the Philippine public administration. Though the
Philippines regain its autonomy from colonialism, the influence of different colonizing nations
persists today. The Philippine public administration has historically been plagued by problems
ranging from little ones like incompetent public employees to major ones like corrupt public
officials and it is said that we inherited these problems from the nations who colonized us in
the past. To ensure good governance and satisfy the citizens, Republic Act No. 6713 lists the
standards and conduct that public servants and employees must uphold (The LAWphil Project).
However, it is unfortunate that those who are meant to adhere to these rules for correct ethical
conduct in public administration routinely break them. The practice of Philippine public
administration has always included three major areas of concern; reorganization,
decentralization, and corruption (Brillantes and Fernandez, 2008).

Corruption, which involves the unlawful use of public funds for private gain, is one of
the most aggravating administrative issues that the Philippine public administration is facing.
The perception of the Philippine government has become unfavorable throughout the years.
People lose faith in the government and start to doubt its efficacy. One recent incident that
raises questions about corruption is the 15 billion pesos in PhilHealth funds that were
reportedly compromised by PhilHealth staff during the pandemic (CNN Philippines, 2022).
Though PhilHealth claimed that it was adequately liquidated and used, people became
suspicious and more eager to know the truth, especially taxpayers.

Another issue that adds to the terrible public administration system is the "Padrino
System," though it is not perceived as a problem by most people; instead, they see it as an
advantage for those who have connections or networks in high places of power. Particularly
when it comes to hiring public officials, the "Padrino System" frequently becomes the center
of heated debates inside the administration. Some public employees are employed or receive
privileges despite not being qualified for the position. The Padrino system is another factor that
contributes to the Philippines' inability to eradicate political dynasties.
 Problems continue to arise despite the government's efforts to create laws and
ordinances that penalize dishonest public servants and authorities. The aforementioned
instances are only two of the many issues the Philippine public administration is dealing with.

Yet there is still hope in this face of public administration with the help of the young
generation. In Wilhelmina L. Cabo’s (2018) paper, “Youth and Political Participation in the
Philippines: Voices and Themes from a Democracy Project”, she emphasized how youth are
still involved in the nation's political concerns. Young people are politically active and have
strong opinions on how the political system in the country should function, as seen by their
participation in the most recent presidential election. Since young people represent the future
of our nation, I believe the current administration should view their goals and concerns about
good governance as a chance for growth.
References

Ador R. Torneo (2020): Public administration education in the Philippines1951-2020:

History, challenges, and prospects. Journal of Public Affairs Education.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340290202_Public_administration_educa
tion_in_the_Philippines_1951-2020_History_challenges_and_prospects

NCPAG. www.ncpag.upd.edu.ph/. Accessed 28, October 2022.

Find University. www.finduniversity.ph/public-administration-schools/. Accessed 28,

October 2022.

The LAWphil Project. www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1989/ra_6713_1989.html.

Accessed 5, November 2022.

Alex Brillantes, Alex Jr. & Fernandez, Maricel (2008): Is There a Philippine Public
Administration? Or Better Still, For Whom Is Philippine Public Administration?
p 12. Philippine Journal of Public Administration.

CNN (Apr 3, 2021). www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/4/3/philhealth-15-billion-funds-

98--liquidated.html. Accessed 5, November 2022.

Cabo, Wilhelmina L. (2018): Youth and Political Participation in the Philippines: Voices
and Themes from a Democracy Project. Journal of Politics and Governance.

www. so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jopag/article/view/123298/93736