Maribel A.

Antique Masters in Public Administration

Zarvie A. Duhaylungsod Subject: Theories & Practice in
Public Administration

THE MODERNIZATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION

According to Vargas Saboya (2006), modernizing an organization

entails transforming its structure and form so as make it similar
to other organizations that are considered “modern” for that
period. Thus, in order to adapt to developments in the world and
society, public administrations have no choice but to modernize
(Giauque and Emery, 2008).
There are so many discussions on what modernization of
administration, especially public administration, really mean.
The level of modernization is relative to one’s former status of
governance. We can say that the Philippine system now is modern
but may not be “modern enough” compared to United States of
America.

There are at least three distinguish levels of modernization of

administration:
• The adaptation and refinement of accepted practices- There may
be systems or practices from other agencies worth adapting. For
example, here in Bayawan, a lot of LGUs have visited our Sanitary
Landfill so they can propose the same system to their respective
LGUs.
• The adoption of new instruments and new techniques-With new
information and communication technologies, communicating has
never been easy. It has become an easy and effective way to get
needed results the soonest. It saves time and money. Also, using
projectors and powerpoint presentations in delivering
presentations in a large group helps in getting the attention of
the group.
• Comprehensive or fundamental reform-Examples of this is the
Reform on the Education system in the Philippines, the K to 12
program to better equip our students and be globally competitive
for better employment.

It should be noted that the adaptation of accepted practices

(level 1) and the adoption of new instruments (level 2) can
culminate in the implementation of a comprehensive reform (level
3).
Thus, countries declaring a program government modernization may
be referring to strategies of more or less greater scope –
targeted, for example, at improving processes without causing

1|Page
upheaval (at least initially) in the traditional structure of
public administration or the values specific to it.

One indication of a modern administration is transparency.

Transparency is a fundamental requirement for the reliability and
integrity of public institutions in order to promote public trust
and public support. Transparency in public administration
guarantees legal assurance and increases the level of legitimacy
in decision making process. The principle of transparency has a
direct impact on the accountability of administration toward the
citizens, while citizens are able to get all the information
regarding the work of public administration and also are allowed
to get involved in the process of decision-making. The
transparency in public administration has a great impact in the
process of public administration reform and promotes the level of
efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness, as main components
of the concept of good administration.
When everyone is able to see the same information top leaders
see, trust and loyalty develop – and both are vital to long term
success.
Full transparency has its advantages.

 People work better when they share thoughts and ideas and
can collaborate more effectively.
 Information sharing makes it easier for organizations to
align objectives and strategies and set up systems that hold
people accountable.
 Full transparency generally requires everyone in the
organization to know what the specific goals are and how
they’re going to be measured. But in the modern context it’s
more than collaboration, understanding strategies or
measuring performance. It’s about understanding the why
behind key decisions.
 Being transparent is more than good policy. It’s a way of
ensuring your employees stay satisfied. You trust them with
the information and in turn, they reward you with loyalty.
 Organizational transparency creates trust among
stakeholders, informs decision making and fosters greater
participation.
Nevertheless, there are some challenges that come along with
providing open access to information. These include:

 Understanding the risk that information may be distorted,

misunderstood or misrepresented
 Acknowledging that being transparent may take more time and
resources and may slow organizational processes (example:
publication of vacant positions. Needs to be 15 days.)
 Being aware that organizations that practice full
transparency may be open to attack, vulnerable to those
groups that feel underrepresented or alienated. Example in

2|Page
 the aftermath of Yolanda. It appears that there were
millions of donations coming from all over the world and yet
rehabilitation was poorly handled. Information like this
could very likely lead to anger and riots in the face of the
death of millions
 Accepting that it can be difficult to learn how to balance
transparency with keeping some information private, such as
competitive trade secrets or other unique information.
In balance however, increased transparency leads to a more
fulfilling and prosperous work environment. Open access to
information creates trust and builds loyalty among stakeholders,
employees and with the public at large. Technology has given us
the tools for making organizational transparency easy and
convenient for even the largest organizations. And as consumers
demand increased accountability, organizations that choose to
pursue transparency will be rewarded.

The more transparent an administration is, the more vulnerable it

is to public scrutiny. Public scrutiny is not bad per se. It is
a way for citizens to engage participation in government
undertakings. It is like examining and investigating the work of
the government. Areas where scrutiny is encouraged:

 Government policy
 New laws and changes to existing laws
 Work and expenditure of the Government
 Issues of public importance
Scrutiny, if done in good faith, helps improve government
policies, legislation and public services. If changes are
suggested, scrutiny helps to make sure that the changes are fit
for purpose and justified. However, if scrutiny is done in bad
faith, or just to delay delivery of services, then it would not
be healthy for the administration and the public in general.
Another indication of a modernized administration is the exercise
of its citizen’s right to access information.
Section 3 of Executive Order No. 02. S. 2016 states that “Every
Filipino shall have access to information, official records,
public records and to documents and papers pertaining to official
acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government
research data used as basis for policy development.”
However, access to information shall be denied when the
information falls under any of the exceptions enshrined in the
Constitution, existing law or jurisprudence.
Also, all public officials are reminded of their obligation to
file and make available for scrutiny their Statements of Assets,
Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in accordance with existing
laws, rules and regulations, and the spirit and letter of this
Order.

3|Page
There shall be a legal presumption in favor of access to
information, public records and official records. No request for
information shall be denied unless it clearly falls under any of
the exceptions listed in the inventory or updated inventory of
exceptions circularized by the Office of the President provided
in the preceding section.
The determination of the applicability of any of the exceptions
to the request shall be the responsibility of the Head of the
Office which is in custody or control of the information, public
record or official record, or the responsible central or field
officer duly designated by him in writing.
In making such determination, the Head of the Office or his
designated officer shall exercise reasonable diligence to ensure
that no exception shall be used or availed of to deny any request
for information or access to public records, or official records
if the denial is intended primarily and purposely to cover up a
crime, wrongdoing, graft or corruption.
While providing access to information, public records, and
official records, responsible officials shall afford full
protection to the right to privacy of the individual as follows:
(a) Each government office per Section 2 of Executive Order 02 s.
2016 shall ensure that personal information in its custody or
under its control is disclosed or released only if it is material
or relevant to the subject-matter of the request and its
disclosure is permissible under this order or existing law, rules
or regulations;
(b) Each government office must protect personal information in
its custody or control by making reasonable security arrangements
against leaks or premature disclosure of personal information
which unduly exposes the individual whose personal information is
requested, to vilification, harassment or any other wrongful
acts.
(c) Any employee, official or director of a government office per
Section 2 hereof who has access, authorized or unauthorized, to
personal information in the custody of the office, must not
disclose that information except when authorized under this order
or pursuant to existing laws, rules or regulation.
The following procedure shall govern the filing and processing of
request for access to information:
(a) Any person who requests access to information shall submit a
written request to the government office concerned. The request
shall state the name and contact information of the requesting
party, provide valid proof of his identification or
authorization, reasonably describe the information requested, and
the reason for, or purpose of, the request for information:
Provided, that no request shall be denied or refused acceptance
unless the reason for the request is contrary to law, existing
rules and regulations or it is one of the exceptions contained in

4|Page
the inventory or updated inventory of exception as hereinabove
provided.
(b) The public official receiving the request shall provide
reasonable assistance, free of charge, to enable, to enable all
requesting parties and particularly those with special needs, to
comply with the request requirements under this Section.
(c) The request shall be stamped by the government office,
indicating the date and time of receipt and the name, rank, title
and position of the receiving public officer or employee with the
corresponding signature, and a copy thereof furnished to the
requesting party. Each government office shall establish a system
to trace the status of all requests for information received by
it.
(d) The government office shall respond to a request fully
compliant with requirements of sub-section (a) hereof as soon as
practicable but not exceeding fifteen (15) working days from the
receipt thereof. The response mentioned above refers to the
decision of the agency or office concerned to grant or deny
access to the information requested.
(e) The period to respond may be extended whenever the
information requested requires extensive search of the government
office’s records facilities, examination of voluminous records,
the occurrence of fortuitous cases or other analogous cases. The
government office shall notify the person making the request of
the extension, setting forth the reasons for such extension. In
no case shall the extension go beyond twenty (20) working days
unless exceptional circumstances warrant a longer period.
(f) Once a decision is made to grant the request, the person
making the request shall be notified of such decision and
directed to pay any applicable fees.

A modernized administration is also receptive of new ideas and

applications. Example canvass thru internet, downloading of funds
directly to implementing agencies. Inventory systems where items
delivered can be monitored by the end user thereby speeding the
withdrawal of the same.
Receptivity is key to learning, improving and observing the
sources behind change and innovation.
To be receptive is to be open to new ideas or change. If you’re
responsive to other people’s suggestions and not set in your
ways, then you’re not only receptive, but flexible.
When an administration is receptive, it is open, aware, awake and
actively receiving what others has to offer. New ideas,
innovations and technologies are essential in this ever changing
environment. All means necessary in the effective delivery of
services to the citizen should be adapted. After all, it is the
duty of the state to make its constituent live in a safe and
comfortable life.

5|Page
We have to adapt to changes, because change is the only constant
in this world.

6|Page