WHILE many sectors lauded President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. bold move to revamp his Cabinet which led to department heads resigned from their posts and others demoted to lesser positions in government, many still clamor for the removal of the remaining unfit ones.
Influential business groups expressed their support, saying that many secretaries had performed less than what was expected of them, although Marcos economic team was seen to have done their duties satisfactorily—so far—in propping up the country’s economy.
But other officials carried the stark criticism of both public and private sector as well—who hinted that allowing them to linger on in their offices is a big waste of the taxpayer’s money paid as revenue to the government to maintain its programs and initiatives.
Take the case of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), which from its inception, organization at establishment, has yet to show what it has accomplished after 16 long years.
But what should one expect from a career diplomat, a Duterte appointee to be the agency’s head, who lacks the basic qualification of experience of work in the field of climate change.
What several local government units, particularly those who have already suffered from the severe impacts of climate change and continuous to be exposed to various hazards and vulnerabilities, as well as environmental groups, have actually witnessed done by the CCC is its failure to promote the access and utilization of the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
This is aside from its dismal performance in enjoining the country’s local government units (LGUs) into action through the required local climate change action plan (LCCAP).
Cause-oriented groups remark that one thing known to be done by the CCC’s head is to frequently travel around, allegedly pushing for climate action, and rubbing elbows with foreign dignitaries.
Moving on, what good has the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) done regarding the lousy service given to its clientele in Metro Manila’s water districts?
This cannot be denied as we have seen many communities still depending on the use of deep wells in order to get their precious supply of water.
Finally, the controversial issue regarding the ‘ayuda’ has time and again become a concern as many politicians have been using it to advance their careers and to remain in power.
So, what is needed here is a Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary who has no political plans and is sympathetic to the poor while being emphatic in the performance of duties and functions.
