President calls them ‘bad news’ bearers
WITHOUT naming them, President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Thursday said that there are two to three members of his Cabinet whom he considers his “penitence” as they often bring “bad news” instead of solutions to problems.
President Aquino made the statement during his speech at the celebration of the 113th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manila.
During his speech, the President lauded Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson for his efforts to improve the image of the department, citing its action to help address the problem with water hyacinths of Cotabato City in southern Mindanao.
Mr. Aquino, however, said that there are two to three Cabinet members, whom he did not name, who are bearers of “bad news” instead of good tidings.
“Sa totoo lang ho, mayroon kasing mga miyembro ng Gabinete—mga dalawa o tatlo—kada makita ko, agad iniisip ko, ‘Ano kaya ang bad news ang dala-dala nito (Truth is, there are members of the Cabinet—two or three of them –everytime I see them, I go, like, What bad news are they bringing this time)?’” he added.
Mr. Aquino named Singson, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and other Cabinet members as those officials whom he is happy with as they often bring “solutions” to the problems.
“Iyong iba ho, ipinipilit ko na lang po na harapin, dahil talagang, kako itong taong ito, talagang penitensya ko na yata sa mundong ito, kaya ok na lang (The other Cabinet members, I just force myself to see them, because really, I tell myself, these people are my penitences in this world, so I just have to deal with them),” the President said.
During his speech at DPWH, Mr. Aquino praised Singson for initiating immediate reforms in the department, including implementation of a transparent and stricter bidding process.
“Tumatahak na nga po sa tuwid na daan ang inyong ahensya. Patunay dito ang pagbusisi ninyo sa 86 na kontratang nasa ilalim ng Post-Ondoy and Pepeng Short-Term Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project na may kabuuang halaga na 3.5 bilyong piso (You are treading the straight path in DPWH. Proof of that was that you scrutinized 86 contracts under the Post-Ondoy and Pepeng Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project costing P3.5 billion),” the President said.
He noted that the department canceled 19 contracts after finding out that they did not undergo proper bidding process.
Mr. Aquino cited the DPWH for saving P2.12 billion from July 2010 to April 2011 because of stringent public bidding rules.
The President said that before 2011 ends, the government expects to save some P7 billion, which could be used to fund construction of school buildings and hospitals.
“Wala pong duda na unti-unti nang nabubura ang madungis na reputasyong matagal nang pinapasan ng DPWH at humahakbang na tayo tungo sa mas maaliwalas at tuwid na kabanata sa kasaysayan ng inyong ahensya (There is no doubt that DPWH is gradually shaking off the bad reputation that it has long suffered from and you are on your way to a new chapter in your department’s history),” he added.
During the department’s 113th anniversary celebration, President Aquino led the launching of DPWH’s call center hotline aimed at promoting transparency and improving the department’s complaints and feedback mechanism.
The DPWH hotline 165-02 is now available 24/7 to those who wish to report damaged roads and other public infrastructure, inquire about the department’s projects, make suggestions, file complaints or report wrongdoings of DPWH employees.
The President honored the 25 department retirees and 20 loyalty awardees who have spent at least 40 years with the department.
By Cris G. Odronia, The Manila Times
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