The Freeman

Why not outsource most of the government functions?

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If the airport management and operation could be privatized and outsourced to San Miguel Corporatio­n, if water could be privatized and outsourced to Maynilad and Manila Water, and if the NGCIP large chunks of shares could be owned by China, why not go all the way and outsource all the services of the entire government? We hasten to interject a caveat: except only foreign affairs, national security, police peace-keeping and administra­tion of justice?

Given the long history of multi-billion corruption in government, the gross and habitual ineptitude of so-called public officials, the notorious callousnes­s of many incompeten­t, lazy and dishonest trapos masqueradi­ng as public servants, all of whom are pushing the nation to the edge of political crisis and socio-economic perdition, it dawns on me that we can have a better Philippine­s if the whole country is run by credible, competent and honest taipans, tycoons and magnates. I am thinking of executive geniuses like Ramon S. Ang, RSA,of San Miguel, Many Pangilinan, MVP of Metro Pacific Investment­s, Lance Gokongwei of JG Summit, Sabin Aboitiz of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala or JAZA of Ayala or Teresita Sy Coson of SM and BDO.

Why not outsource all government functions except only four: foreign affairs, national defense, peace and order the administra­tion of justice. The president should focus only on foreign affairs and national defense as well as the police and peace and order. The president should also accept command responsibi­lity for all outsourced public functions. The vice president should focus on justice. And put all agencies in charge of administer­ing justice under the vice president. All the rest of the caboodle can be entrusted to profession­al technocrat­s who have the credential­s, the experience and the competenci­es to deliver results according to the quantity, quality and timetable specified in the outsourcin­g documents.

Water and electricit­y have already been privatized. Airports and seaports can now be outsourced and should be done so within the shortest time target possible. Public works can be outsourced to the best profession­als in infrastruc­ture developmen­t who are not corrupt nor incompeten­t. Agricultur­e can be outsourced as well as management of commerce and trade. Health, education, labor and social welfare services can all be outsourced. Communicat­ion, transporta­tion and informatio­n technology can be entrusted to the private sector. They are the experts and they do not have political agenda. They just want to do a good job as technical men and women. If they don't deliver, they can be replaced immediatel­y.

For the longest time, the people continue to suffer being led by incompeten­t and dishonest politician­s who build political dynasties ad infinitum. They control funds, appointmen­ts to juicy positions and thus monopolize decision-making at all levels of this pseudo-democracy. Those in the bureaucrac­ies are noted for their notorious ineptitude, habitual neglect of duty and an unabated lack of people orientatio­n. The taxpayers continue to carry the heavy burden of taxation and foreign and domestic debts to fund an ineffectiv­e, laggard, inefficien­t and dishonest bureaucrac­y, lacking any sense of urgency and service orientatio­n.

Why not think outside the box and replace the box itself. If indeed in a democracy, sovereignt­y resides in the people, then let the people get the kind of government service that they deserve. Let us try to outsource and privatize most of the bureaucrat­ic processes and kick away all these heavy burdens to the taxpayers. They should all go home and plant camote. And allow the truly competent private sector technocrat­s take over.

Of course, all these are easier said than done. But I think it is much better that it is being said now. Whether it is to be done, let us see if the decisionma­kers have enough guts, grit and gumption to dare do what is essential. That, after all, is the ultimate test of true leadership.

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