Pacific Island Times February 2020 Vol 4 No. 2 | Page 4

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mar-Vic Cagurangan [email protected] I It’s time to end the spoils system n five years, the government stands to lose a large part of its workforce due to retirement, ac- cording to Sen. Sabina Pe- rez, who is proposing “long- term solutions through successional planning” that will be incorporated into school curriculum. The goal is to provide long-term and stable ca- reers—and perhaps, promo- tion — for civil servants, who are typically shut out of the opportunities to climb up the ladder because mer- it-based career civil service is a myth. Many government employees see public employment as a dead-end career — what with inexperienced political appointees getting the spoils after each election. The top post in every department and agency often goes to the political supporter, who will have to train on the job and make lousy decisions. Political patronage, the most notorious political practice, is often synonymous with malfeasance and incompetence. But you see, GovGuam leaders always have grand plans. In 2012, the Guam Legislature created a Moderniza- 4 tion and Rightsizing Commission of the Government of Guam, whose job is to streamline the government, abolish antiquated agencies and bring GovGuam “into the 21st century.” Eight years later, the commission accomplished nothing, winding up among the list of useless government entities that collect dust. Nobody remembers that this law exists. Streamlining is an occa- sional buzzword in govern- ment. But the fervor always fizzles out. Several discus- sions — bills filed, and all — on consolidating redundant agencies were shelved. Meanwhile, creating new agencies, either through legislation or executive orders, seems like a govern- ment hobby. The 2018 Transition Committee com- missioned by the Leon Guerrero-Teno- rio administration found approximately 112 boards, commissions, and councils, with a combined total of approximately 945 statutorily required members for all boards, commissions and councils. Currently, there are 632 sitting board members and 313 vacant or expired board positions. “The GovGuam is the largest em- ployer of our island’s labor force. Since its inception, it has evolved into an unwieldy bureaucracy based on an in- dustrial model rooted in the early 19th century,” states the transition report. Compounding the incredible size of bureaucracy is the restrictive attitude. Getting things done in government is exactly how Kakfa described it: a seemingly endless labyrinth that is difficult to navigate. “This type of organizational structure is often slow to move, compartmen- talized in its formation and heavily reliant on incremental output, which locks employees into a ‘job description’ mentality,” the report said. The committee underscored the need for transformation that requires “radical changes in attitude and behavior.” Perhaps, attrition through retirement is the best way to shrink the bureaucra- cy and executing the proposed “long- term solutions through successional planning” might motivate open-minded GovGuam employees who are eager to upgrade their skills. Smart vision. Or is it just one of GovGuam’s fleeting grand plans with technocratic-sounding brand? Contributing Writers Raquel Bagnol Phillip Cruz, Jr. Zaldy Dandan Jayne Flores Ken Leon Guerrero Theodore Lewis Diana Mendoza Alex Rhowuniong Jay Shedd Visual Editor Mar-Vic Cagurangan Sales and Marketing Executive Jan SN Furukawa [email protected] Account Executive Anna Marie Alegre [email protected] Administrative Assistant Ricky Panelo *** Pacific Independent News Service LLC Tumon Sands Plaza 1082 Pale San Vitores Rd. Tumon Guam 96931 Telephone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: www.pacificislandtimes.com The Pacific Island Times is published monthly and circulated in Guam and Palau by the Pacific Independent News Service LLC. Editorial and advertising submissions become property of the Pacific Island Times and cannot be lifted without consent of the publisher. Views and opinions from contributors do not necessarily represent the editorial position of the Pacific Island Times.