GOOD GOVERNANCE THROUGH MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
(WITH BIBLE VERSE INTEGRATION)
Good governance is the foundation of sustainable development, and strong civil servants make good governance possible.
Strong civil servants are products of a merit-centered system that puts premium on:
1. Professionalization tempered with human consideration;
2. Empowerment grounded on self-discipline; and
3. Commitment graced with creativity and innovations.
We build, promote and sustain the growth of strong and committed Filipino civil servants. We ensure that their work environment is technologically updated, conducive to their continuous learning and optimum productivity and responsive to their needs to develop as full human beings.
In all these efforts, we are inspired by our people’s aspirations for our country to stand proud and strong in the community of nations, with a government that is truly excellent and globally competitive.
We are exemplars of the human resource systems we build. We lead by living the philosophy, which breeds strong civil servants: to serve – with integrity and excellence – God, country, and people.
Isaiah 32:17 ASV “And the work of righteousness (good governance) shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness (good governance): quietness and confidence forever.”
Hebrews 12:28 ASV “…whereby we may offer service well-pleasing (good governance) to God with reverence (respect)…”
PURSUANT TO R.A. 6713, THE NORMS OF CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEE THAT YOU MUST OBSERVE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR OFFICIAL DUTIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC INTEREST – Always uphold the public interest over and above your personal interest. All government resources and powers of your office must be used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, to avoid waste of public funds and revenues.
2. PROFESSIONALISM– Perform your duties with the highest degree of excellence, intelligence and skills. You must serve with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.
3. JUSTNESS AND SINCERITY – Remain true to the people at all times. Be honest, just and sincere. Do not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and underprivileged. You are expected to respectful at all times. Refrain from doing acts contrary to law, doing good safety to public interest. You are dispensed or extend undue favors because of your office to your relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as members of your personal staff whose terms are coterminous with yours.
4. POLITICAL NEUTRALITY– Provided service to everyone, with-out unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
5. RESPONSIVENESS TO THE PUBLIC – Extend promptness, courteous and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when require by the public interest provided information on policies and procedures in clear and understandable language. Ensure openness of information by public consultations and hearing wherever appropriate. Encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policies, rules and procedures, and avoid red tape. Lastly, develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in depressed rural and urban areas.
6. NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM– Be loyal at all times to the Republic and to the Filipino, promote the use of locally-produced goods, resources and technology and encourage appreciation and pride of country and people. You must endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
7. COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY – Commit yourself to the democratic way of life and values, maintain and/ or observe the principle of public accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military. You must all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.
8. SIMPLE LIVING– You and your family are expected to lead modest lives appropriate to your position and income. Do not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.
Colossians 4:5 ISV “Behave (or serve) wisely toward outsiders (people whom you serve), making the best use (service) of your time.”
THE MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
Presidential Proclamation no. 62 (September 30, 1992)
“Declaring a Moral Recovery Program and enjoining active participation of all sectors in the Filipino society”
Other selected Legal Mandates:
Senate Resolution no. 10 (1987)
Administrative Order no. 194 (1995)
Executive Order no. 319 (1996)
“MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM IS BUILDING A NATION AND BUILDING PEOPLE”
1. BUILDING A NATION WITH GOD– The task of building our nation is an awesome one. There is a need for economic recovery. The need to re-establish democratic institutions and to achieve the goals of peace and genuine social justice. Along with these goals, there is a need to change structures and to change people.
Psalms 33:12 ESV “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD!” (written now in our new peso bill)
2. BUILDING TRANSFORMED PEOPLE – Means eliminating our weakness and developing our strength, and this starts with analysis, understanding and appreciation to these strength, and weakness. We must not be self-offensive but neither can we afford to be self- defensive. We must change, and understanding ourselves is the first step.
2 Chronicles 7:14 ASV “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
BENEFITS OF MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
A. BUILDING THE STRENGTH OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
Judges 16:28 ESV Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me…”(God can strengthen our characters.)
1. PAKIKIPAGKAPWA TAO – Is manifested in a basic sense of justice and fairness and concern for others.Results in camaraderie and feeling of closeness to one another. It is the foundation for unity as well as the sense of social justice.
2. FAMILY ORIENTATION – Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for family which includes not simply spouse and children, parents and sibling, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents and other ceremonial relatives. To the Filipino, family is one’s main commitment and responsibility.
3. JOY AND HUMOR – Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life in their ups and downs. We have a pleasant disposition, a sense of humor and happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino charm but also to the incommutability of the Filipino spirit. Laughing at ourselves even in our mess. We are in an important coping mechanism. Often playful, sometimes disrespectful, we laugh at those we love, at those we hate, and we joke about our good and bad fortune.
4. FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY AND CREATIVITY – Filipino have a great capacity to adjust and create from any circumstances and to the surrounding environment, both physical and social.
5. HARD WORK AND INDUSTRY – Filipino have the capacity for hard work with given proper conditions. The desire to raise ones’ standard of living and to possess the essentials of a decent life for one’s family, combined with right opportunities and incentives, make Filipino work very hard.
6. FAITH AND RELIGIOSITY – Filipino have a deep faith in God. Our innate religiosity enables us to comprehend and genuinely accept reality in the context of God’s will and plan. Thus, tragedy and bad fortune are accepted and some optimism characterizes even the poorest lives. Filipino lives very intimately with religion. It is tangible, and touchable part of everyday life. We ascribe human traits to a supernatural God whom we alternately threaten and thank, call upon for mercy or forgiveness and appease by pledges. Thus, prayers are an important part of our lives.
7. ABILITY TO SURVIVE – Filipino have an ability to survive, which is manifested in our capacity for endurance despite difficult times and in our ability to live on even in very little resources.Filipino creates with what is available in the environment (e.g. making a living from garbage dump).This survival instinct is related to the Filipinos other strengths- a basic optimism, flexibility and adaptability, hard work and a deep faith in God.
B. ELIMINATING THE WEAKNESS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
Romans 3:4 ISV God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You (man) are right when you (man) speak…“(Lying: weakness of man)
1. EXTREME PERSONALISM - This personalism is manifested in the tendency to give personal interpretations to action, (i.e. “taking thing personal”). Thus, a sincere question may be viewed as a challenge to one’s competence or positive feedback may be interpreted as a sign of special affection. There is in fact some basis for such interpretation as Filipino is quite personal criticism and praise. Personalism is also manifested in the necessity for the establishment of personal relationship before any business or work relationships can be successful.
2. EXTREME FAMILY CENTREDNESS - Excessive concerns for the family create in-group to which the Filipino is fiercely loyal. Excessive concerns for family manifests itself in the use of one’s office and power as a means of promoting the interest of the family. In factionalism, patronage and political dynasties, and in the protection of erring family members.
3. LACK OF DISCIPLINE - The Filipino’s lack of discipline encompasses several related characteristics: we have a casual and relaxed attitude towards time and space, which manifests itself in lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and in procrastination.We are impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward, resulting in the use of short-cuts, in skirting the rules (the palusot syndrome) and in foolhardiness;We are guilty of ningas kugon, starting our project with full vigor and interest abruptly die down leaving things unfinished.Our lack of discipline often results inefficient and wasteful work systems. Violations of rules leading to more transgressions that are serious and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness and lack of follow-through.
4. PASSIVITY AND LACK OF INITIATIVE - Filipinos have a colonial mentality, which is made up of two dimensions: First is a lack of patriotism on an active awareness, appreciation and love of the Philippines; Second is an actual preference for things foreign.Filipino culture is characterized by openness to the outside- adapting and incorporating the foreign elements into our image of ourselves. Yet this image is not built around a deep core of Philippine history and language. The result is cultural weakness that make Filipinos extraordinary susceptible to the wholesale acceptance of modern mass culture which is often Western. Thus, there is preference for foreign fashion, entertainment, lifestyles, technology, consumer items, etc.The Filipino colonial mentality is manifested in the alienation of the elite from their roots and from the masses as well as in the basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult for Filipinos to relate as equals to Westerners.
5. KANYA-KANYA SYNDROME - Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness toward others, particularly one’s peer who seem to have gained some status or prestige. Towards them, the Filipino demonstrate the so-called crab mentality (referring to the tendency of crabs in a basket to pull each other down) using the leveling instrument of tsismis, intriga and unconstructive criticism to bring other down. There seems to be basic assumption that another’s gain is one’s loss. The kanya-kanya syndrome is also evident in the personal ambition and the drive for power and status that is completely insensitive to the common good. Personal and in-group interest reign supreme. This characteristic is also evident in the lack of a sense of service among people in the government bureaucracy. The public is made to feel that service from these offices and from the civil servants is an extra reward that has to be paid for. The kanya-kanya syndrome results in the dampening of cooperative and community spirit and in the trampling upon of the rights of others.
6. LACK OF SELF-ANALYSIS AND SELF-REFLECTION - There is a tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even somewhat flighty. In the face of serious problem, both personal and social, there is lack of analysis or reflection. We joke about the most serious matters and this prevents looking deeply into the problem. There is no felt need to validate our hypothesis or explanations to things. Thus, we are satisfied with superficial explanations and superficial solutions to problems.The Filipino lack of self-analysis and our emphasis on form is reinforced by an educational system that is often more form that substance and a legal system that tends to substitute law for reality.
CONCLUSION:
Philippians 4:8 ASV "Finally, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
A compilation researched notes by: Rev. Corsino “Boi” Paranas Jr., City of Imus Chaplain
(WITH BIBLE VERSE INTEGRATION)
Good governance is the foundation of sustainable development, and strong civil servants make good governance possible.
Strong civil servants are products of a merit-centered system that puts premium on:
1. Professionalization tempered with human consideration;
2. Empowerment grounded on self-discipline; and
3. Commitment graced with creativity and innovations.
We build, promote and sustain the growth of strong and committed Filipino civil servants. We ensure that their work environment is technologically updated, conducive to their continuous learning and optimum productivity and responsive to their needs to develop as full human beings.
In all these efforts, we are inspired by our people’s aspirations for our country to stand proud and strong in the community of nations, with a government that is truly excellent and globally competitive.
We are exemplars of the human resource systems we build. We lead by living the philosophy, which breeds strong civil servants: to serve – with integrity and excellence – God, country, and people.
Isaiah 32:17 ASV “And the work of righteousness (good governance) shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness (good governance): quietness and confidence forever.”
Hebrews 12:28 ASV “…whereby we may offer service well-pleasing (good governance) to God with reverence (respect)…”
PURSUANT TO R.A. 6713, THE NORMS OF CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEE THAT YOU MUST OBSERVE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR OFFICIAL DUTIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC INTEREST – Always uphold the public interest over and above your personal interest. All government resources and powers of your office must be used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, to avoid waste of public funds and revenues.
2. PROFESSIONALISM– Perform your duties with the highest degree of excellence, intelligence and skills. You must serve with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.
3. JUSTNESS AND SINCERITY – Remain true to the people at all times. Be honest, just and sincere. Do not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and underprivileged. You are expected to respectful at all times. Refrain from doing acts contrary to law, doing good safety to public interest. You are dispensed or extend undue favors because of your office to your relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as members of your personal staff whose terms are coterminous with yours.
4. POLITICAL NEUTRALITY– Provided service to everyone, with-out unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
5. RESPONSIVENESS TO THE PUBLIC – Extend promptness, courteous and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when require by the public interest provided information on policies and procedures in clear and understandable language. Ensure openness of information by public consultations and hearing wherever appropriate. Encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policies, rules and procedures, and avoid red tape. Lastly, develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in depressed rural and urban areas.
6. NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM– Be loyal at all times to the Republic and to the Filipino, promote the use of locally-produced goods, resources and technology and encourage appreciation and pride of country and people. You must endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
7. COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY – Commit yourself to the democratic way of life and values, maintain and/ or observe the principle of public accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military. You must all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.
8. SIMPLE LIVING– You and your family are expected to lead modest lives appropriate to your position and income. Do not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.
Colossians 4:5 ISV “Behave (or serve) wisely toward outsiders (people whom you serve), making the best use (service) of your time.”
THE MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
Presidential Proclamation no. 62 (September 30, 1992)
“Declaring a Moral Recovery Program and enjoining active participation of all sectors in the Filipino society”
Other selected Legal Mandates:
Senate Resolution no. 10 (1987)
Administrative Order no. 194 (1995)
Executive Order no. 319 (1996)
“MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM IS BUILDING A NATION AND BUILDING PEOPLE”
1. BUILDING A NATION WITH GOD– The task of building our nation is an awesome one. There is a need for economic recovery. The need to re-establish democratic institutions and to achieve the goals of peace and genuine social justice. Along with these goals, there is a need to change structures and to change people.
Psalms 33:12 ESV “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD!” (written now in our new peso bill)
2. BUILDING TRANSFORMED PEOPLE – Means eliminating our weakness and developing our strength, and this starts with analysis, understanding and appreciation to these strength, and weakness. We must not be self-offensive but neither can we afford to be self- defensive. We must change, and understanding ourselves is the first step.
2 Chronicles 7:14 ASV “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
BENEFITS OF MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
A. BUILDING THE STRENGTH OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
Judges 16:28 ESV Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me…”(God can strengthen our characters.)
1. PAKIKIPAGKAPWA TAO – Is manifested in a basic sense of justice and fairness and concern for others.Results in camaraderie and feeling of closeness to one another. It is the foundation for unity as well as the sense of social justice.
2. FAMILY ORIENTATION – Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for family which includes not simply spouse and children, parents and sibling, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents and other ceremonial relatives. To the Filipino, family is one’s main commitment and responsibility.
3. JOY AND HUMOR – Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life in their ups and downs. We have a pleasant disposition, a sense of humor and happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino charm but also to the incommutability of the Filipino spirit. Laughing at ourselves even in our mess. We are in an important coping mechanism. Often playful, sometimes disrespectful, we laugh at those we love, at those we hate, and we joke about our good and bad fortune.
4. FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY AND CREATIVITY – Filipino have a great capacity to adjust and create from any circumstances and to the surrounding environment, both physical and social.
5. HARD WORK AND INDUSTRY – Filipino have the capacity for hard work with given proper conditions. The desire to raise ones’ standard of living and to possess the essentials of a decent life for one’s family, combined with right opportunities and incentives, make Filipino work very hard.
6. FAITH AND RELIGIOSITY – Filipino have a deep faith in God. Our innate religiosity enables us to comprehend and genuinely accept reality in the context of God’s will and plan. Thus, tragedy and bad fortune are accepted and some optimism characterizes even the poorest lives. Filipino lives very intimately with religion. It is tangible, and touchable part of everyday life. We ascribe human traits to a supernatural God whom we alternately threaten and thank, call upon for mercy or forgiveness and appease by pledges. Thus, prayers are an important part of our lives.
7. ABILITY TO SURVIVE – Filipino have an ability to survive, which is manifested in our capacity for endurance despite difficult times and in our ability to live on even in very little resources.Filipino creates with what is available in the environment (e.g. making a living from garbage dump).This survival instinct is related to the Filipinos other strengths- a basic optimism, flexibility and adaptability, hard work and a deep faith in God.
B. ELIMINATING THE WEAKNESS OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
Romans 3:4 ISV God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You (man) are right when you (man) speak…“(Lying: weakness of man)
1. EXTREME PERSONALISM - This personalism is manifested in the tendency to give personal interpretations to action, (i.e. “taking thing personal”). Thus, a sincere question may be viewed as a challenge to one’s competence or positive feedback may be interpreted as a sign of special affection. There is in fact some basis for such interpretation as Filipino is quite personal criticism and praise. Personalism is also manifested in the necessity for the establishment of personal relationship before any business or work relationships can be successful.
2. EXTREME FAMILY CENTREDNESS - Excessive concerns for the family create in-group to which the Filipino is fiercely loyal. Excessive concerns for family manifests itself in the use of one’s office and power as a means of promoting the interest of the family. In factionalism, patronage and political dynasties, and in the protection of erring family members.
3. LACK OF DISCIPLINE - The Filipino’s lack of discipline encompasses several related characteristics: we have a casual and relaxed attitude towards time and space, which manifests itself in lack of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and in procrastination.We are impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward, resulting in the use of short-cuts, in skirting the rules (the palusot syndrome) and in foolhardiness;We are guilty of ningas kugon, starting our project with full vigor and interest abruptly die down leaving things unfinished.Our lack of discipline often results inefficient and wasteful work systems. Violations of rules leading to more transgressions that are serious and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness and lack of follow-through.
4. PASSIVITY AND LACK OF INITIATIVE - Filipinos have a colonial mentality, which is made up of two dimensions: First is a lack of patriotism on an active awareness, appreciation and love of the Philippines; Second is an actual preference for things foreign.Filipino culture is characterized by openness to the outside- adapting and incorporating the foreign elements into our image of ourselves. Yet this image is not built around a deep core of Philippine history and language. The result is cultural weakness that make Filipinos extraordinary susceptible to the wholesale acceptance of modern mass culture which is often Western. Thus, there is preference for foreign fashion, entertainment, lifestyles, technology, consumer items, etc.The Filipino colonial mentality is manifested in the alienation of the elite from their roots and from the masses as well as in the basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult for Filipinos to relate as equals to Westerners.
5. KANYA-KANYA SYNDROME - Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness toward others, particularly one’s peer who seem to have gained some status or prestige. Towards them, the Filipino demonstrate the so-called crab mentality (referring to the tendency of crabs in a basket to pull each other down) using the leveling instrument of tsismis, intriga and unconstructive criticism to bring other down. There seems to be basic assumption that another’s gain is one’s loss. The kanya-kanya syndrome is also evident in the personal ambition and the drive for power and status that is completely insensitive to the common good. Personal and in-group interest reign supreme. This characteristic is also evident in the lack of a sense of service among people in the government bureaucracy. The public is made to feel that service from these offices and from the civil servants is an extra reward that has to be paid for. The kanya-kanya syndrome results in the dampening of cooperative and community spirit and in the trampling upon of the rights of others.
6. LACK OF SELF-ANALYSIS AND SELF-REFLECTION - There is a tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even somewhat flighty. In the face of serious problem, both personal and social, there is lack of analysis or reflection. We joke about the most serious matters and this prevents looking deeply into the problem. There is no felt need to validate our hypothesis or explanations to things. Thus, we are satisfied with superficial explanations and superficial solutions to problems.The Filipino lack of self-analysis and our emphasis on form is reinforced by an educational system that is often more form that substance and a legal system that tends to substitute law for reality.
CONCLUSION:
Philippians 4:8 ASV "Finally, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
A compilation researched notes by: Rev. Corsino “Boi” Paranas Jr., City of Imus Chaplain