Escudero: Let career execs head OWWA, other vital agencies
rashid fabricante
Senator Francis
Escudero's "no non-sense proposal" that career executive
officials should be at the helm of OWWA and other people oriented agencies of
the government, is not only "a well timed and appropriate" solution, but does give also a sign of relief among the majority of the overseas Filipinos-the
trustors of the estimated Pesos 11B OWWA funds, deserving the best care and
service possible from this government the moment they leave the country, on
site and until their return.
As a "confidence building measure", it is just appropriate that the
time has come for Congress to finally re-engineer OWWA's mandate as the lead
agency protecting the interest and promoting the welfare of the global OFWs and
their families.
An immediate congressional action to create OWWA's charter is their best incentive for the overseas Filipinos to give way for some fundamental reforms especially in the fund management and services badly needed by affected OFW's especially in times of war and those facing problems for their repatriation.
"We want "career executives" with unquestionable knowledge, integrity, judgment and expertise to lead OWWA driven by the love for public service over financial gain and whose loyalty to fund owners will redeem confidence among its stakeholders"- is our battle cry and will remain so.
This OWWA charter will be Congress' lasting contribution to the millions of its global citizens and shall be managed by the best and the brightest in the civil service whose competency, motivation and service results orientation will enable OWWA achieve its modern day mission to serve the modern day heroes of our time.
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Escudero: Let career execs head OWWA, other vital agencies
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:57:00 07/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Career executives should head the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other government agencies that need technical expertise to run them properly and with continuity, Senator Francis Escudero said Thursday.
At the Kapihan sa Senado, Escudero, who served in the House with former congressman Prospero Pichay, said he did not think Pichay would accept the OWWA post.
Pichay has admitted that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had offered to make him head either the OWWA or the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
The chairman of the Senate ways and means committee proposed that 70 percent of presidential appointments to the 5,000 positions in government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations should be limited be given to career officials with the technical expertise and institutional memory to continue existing programs.
"There are agencies that need the confidence of the people, not the confidence of the President. These agencies need technical expertise, not loyalty to the appointing power," he said.
"These include OWWA, NEDA (National Economic Development Authority), DoE (Department of Energy), the Department of Education, and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)."