I cannot sleep. So let me tell you an incident that happened
to me just recently.
I happen to drop by a government office while on my way to La
Union to use their rest room. Two people
were there, a male peace keeping officer, and a female clerical staff. I greeted them a pleasant evening and ask to
use the restroom. The peace officer said “idiay” pointing at a direction that
was so dark. I said where is it? There are
no lights “adda”, in an arrogant tone to me.
When I was done, I inquired if he is the officer assigned
that time and the gentleman said “wen, apaya”, like he didn’t have time to talk
to me. I said oh so you are government officials. Being such, you should be
more client-friendly. Do not forget that you are being paid by the people to be
courteous to them. You were not placed in your position to be served and be arrogant;
you are there to serve- the essence of public service.
Mine, may not be official but I expected government officials
to be courteous to me, the moment I entered their office not because I am who I
am but because I am a citizen of this country that they have sworn to serve, and
service means courtesy.
I told them who I am, and immediately, I got “red carpet” so
to speak. I was even escorted to my car. Is this the kind of service we give? When a
person comes to our office in glass slippers, we give the best? But when a
person in rubber slippers comes, we do not attend properly to them? No wonder, we
in the government are dubbed “ARROGANTS” and called by many other names by the public.
Sometimes, I do not blame them. They are right to call us that.
Immediately, I called their supervisor and told him to
discipline his subordinates. COURTESY is the major ingredient of public
service. Most often, we forget that the people coming to our offices no matter
who and what they are, are humans too and must be treated as such.
Time and again, I tell officials about the ethical standards
of public service or what it is to be a public servant.
MY LESSON? Tell people who you are… hehehe
LESSON: Quit if you cannot be client-friendly.
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