Continuity is a good thing

I once read an analyst’s opinion, although this was a way back, as to why progress is slow in happening in the country. What he noticed was a lack of continuity, especially in areas where things were actually working, in terms of governance. The old saying that when something isn’t broken, don’t fix it, seems to come in mind. Or the not needing to re-invent the wheel thing. Both stress the fact that if something works, there is no need for change.

This is what President Aquino wants to see, beyond his term in 2016. He would want the next leader to continue what his administration has already started. True enough, it is hard to argue with what this administration has accomplished in terms of eradicating corruption and making the country “palatable” once again to foreign investors. The just concluded highly successful Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting held in the country has highlighted that the Philippines is once again in the radar of the international community. That’s definitely a good thing. But the work has just begun.

With almost half of his term coming up, looking beyond 2016 may be the right thing to do. Going back to that analyst’s opinion, he noticed that when administrations change, practically the whole organizational network changes along with it, even if there is no reason to. For something to continue, especially if it works to begin with, there is no need, or there should be no need to change the personnel, the officials. Unless they of course, cannot see themselves becoming subordinates to someone they did not vote for! Not to mention the highly ethnic nature Filipinos tend to have, especially when hiring. An Ilocano would hire a fellow Ilocano, or a Kapampangan would look for one of its own and so forth. That is so true! 

But this is indeed the norm. When presidents change, so do their cabinets, down the line. Continuity is a good thing. And what this administration has been doing so far in terms of eradicating corruption is most definitely a good thing. What it still plans to do, which cannot be achieved in three or even four years, such as the strengthening of the armed forces, is of even greater importance of late. Other flagship projects such as the rehabilitation of the airports including air safety standards, increasing the railways by going farther, making good use of all our waterways and the like will definitely take more time than what is allotted to PNoy.

So what do you do, when you have a good thing going? You make sure the good thing continues, right? Which is why PNoy still endorses his party, the Liberal Party, and nothing else. At an oath-taking of 230 new members into the party in Negros, it became evident that the party was strengthening itself from the ground up.

Always a good way to build, if you ask me!