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Activity 2 - Reflection On Sec Robredo Speech - The Everyday Mason
Activity 2 - Reflection On Sec Robredo Speech - The Everyday Mason
Lingayen, Pangasinan
MDMN 208
Local Governance and Regional Administration
First Semester, A.Y. 2023-2024
Activity No. 2
Reflection Paper on “The Everyday Mason” by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo
Submitted by:
Submitted to:
DR.ABELARDO S. ABALOS
Professor, MDMN 208
In his keynote speech entitled “Everyday Mason”, Sec. Robredo addressed the
Masons of the Philippines, but his speech is also relevant to all Filipinos from all walks
of life most especially to public servants most especially in the realm of governance,
public policy and in the improvement of public service. Let me cull out the following
phrases and words that impacted me most:
The success of our programs will depend on real people power anchored on values
of integrity and excellence. Thus, what we need now at this crucial juncture is
people cementing collaborations to fight corruption, mediocrity, and division in our
society. What we need now are people like you, who are leaders and thinkers.
Masons who live and propagate the values of commitment to truth, justice,
patriotism and selflessness.
Anchored on the above principles, the values that leaders invoke should also
a way of life that is embodied and translated in the manner of program
implementation. Genuineness, transparency and commitment to public service
should be the guiding tenets of public leaders as well as the electorates who voted
these political leaders.
I agree with Sir Jesse. The country does not need another EDSA Revolution to
effect change. What our country truly needs is not another revolution; rather, what it
needs is social transformation or evolution.
The underpinnings of the Philippine society and Filipino nation have been
shaped by its colorful history, customs, and traditions which have impacts on
governance, public policy formulation and public service delivery. Social and
structural changes could address the ills and decays in Philippine politics and
governance.
Public servants, as catalysts of change, play pivotal roles in the
transformation mentioned by Sec. Jesse in the abovesaid essay. One does not
need monumental actions to change the society we live in. Our daily simple acts
could help transform the society. From the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the
change that you wish to see the world.” The daily ethical actions of every public
servant when compounded together, could truly change the face of governance and
public service delivery.
If you’ve noticed, society has been slowly opening its doors to government. And
both are willing to network for the sake of change. The government is capitalizing
on this openness with new programs that harness real people power.
Nowadays, convergence has not only become a buzz word but a social
innovation that is aimed to be a solution to address entrenched societal issues and
concerns. Cognizant of the importance of convergence of efforts of different
stakeholders, citizens collaborate and work among their peers to address problems,
businesses and companies develop greater corporate social responsibility and
social awareness to easily channel resources and the public sector integrate all
players and contributors to the solution of the problem.
Knowing many things is easy. Search Google. Using that knowledge to truly serve,
now that’s what it means to be a Mason.
Sec. Jesse, in his speech, heralded the concept of stewardship. This concept
has a Biblical underpinning. To quote Daniel Conway, “stewardship refers to the
Judeo-Christian belief that each of us has been blessed by God with certain talents,
abilities, resources, and opportunities that we are called to nurture and develop for
our own good and for the good of the human family. Because God has appointed us
as stewards, or caretakers, of the world in which we live, we do not really own or
possess anything. Instead, we act on behalf of a loving but demanding God who
expects us to render an account of our use of the resources (time, talent, and
treasure) that have been entrusted to our care.” (Conway, 2005)
Sec Jesse reminded the Masons on the importance of mission and vision
in one’s personal life and most especially in the delivery of public service. As public
servants traverse the roadmap towards success or the realization of organizational
vision, mission and goals, one should not only focus on the destination, but also
needs to put attention on “how to get there”.
The government and all its actors carry with them key missions in service of
the citizens, engage with its various stakeholders and act as cost-effective stewards
of public resources. Notwithstanding the performance of these daily grind, there is
also a need to step back, look back, assess the current reality and provide
perspectives to paint a vision on the future of public service and governance.
Visioning for tomorrow’s government should also lay the roadmap on how to
maximize benefits, minimize risks, address issues and challenges with potential
innovations.
References:
de Vires, M. S. (2011). Value and Virtue in Public Administration: A Comparative Perspective. New York:
Palgrave Macmillan.