LYCEUM – NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Tapuac District, Dagupan

INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

MASTER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Major in Development Management and Public Safety Administration

In Compliance with the Requirements in the Module

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

TOPIC:

WHAT THEORIES ARE APPLICABLE IN THE PHILIPPINE

SETTING?

Submitted by:

NERISSA EUGENIA P PANERGALIN, CE

SR INSP BFP
 WHAT THEORIES ARE APPLICABLE IN THE PHILIPPINE

SETTING?

Several theories of Public Administration affect the Philippine

setting and are considered to be effective principles in the

performance of the duties and responsibilities of the public servants

in the delivery of public service to the people. The following are some

of the theories that are applicable in the Philippine setting:

1. Politics- Administration Dichotomy

In the present situation of our government, we have seen

that this theory of Woodrow Wilson must be observe since

our politicians put so much pressure on the administrators as

to what must be done in their jurisdiction. The administrators’

job is to do what is legal and mandated by law but since the

politicians influenced the administrators through their powers

and they are the one who appoints the administrators, they

were left with no option but to follow what was being told to

them. Here, Politics – Administration Dichotomy is important

to be observed so as not to sacrifice the policies, rules and

regulations that were being implemented.

Just like what was happening in our bureau at the lowest

arm of our agency. The Bureau of Fire Protection is the one

who is responsible in the implementation of the Fire Code of

the Philippines and is represented by the Fire Marshals at

the station level. The Fire Marshals being the arm of the Fire

Chief must ensure that all rules and regulations set forth

under the Fire Code were being followed. Then, here comes

the client who complains about what was being required for

them. The client, being hesitant to follow the said fire safety

requirements goes to the Mayor to seek for “Padrino”.

Having known that they have someone at their back would

not force them anymore to comply with what was being told

to them. Sadly, this thing really happens on some of the

stations. Why? This is because the stations under such cities

or municipalities has no enough resources for a 24/7

operations thus the Fire Marshals tend to seek assistance

from the Local Government through the Mayor. With this

system, since a favour is being granted, the Fire Marshals

 tend to bend the rules because they are becoming

dependent on the Local Government. This thing may be

avoided only if the higher authorities will look into this issues

and appropriating enough budget for the lower units.

This problem is just one example but we all know that

every agency here in the Philippines encounters their own

issues concerning this theory. Thus in my opinion, this theory

is very much applicable in our government setting to avoid

the “Padrino System” and to properly implement such rules

and regulations for our community.

2. Scientific Management Theory by Fredrick Winslow Taylor

As defined from the website of Business Jargons

(https://businessjargons.com/scientific-management-

theory.html), Scientific Management Theory is well known for

its application of engineering science at the production floor

or the operating levels. Also, it was stated that is was

focused on improving efficiency of each individual in the

organization and putting much emphasis on increasing the

production through the use of intensive technology and the

human beings are just considered adjuncts to machines in

the performance of routing tasks.

Nowadays, we can see this theory as one of the much

being used and applied in our government both in public and

private sectors. We can see it with the innovations made by

our government in the different agency transactions and

operations.

An example for this is the technologies on Data Base

system through which a lesser effort was being done by

clients who were renewing their licenses and business

permits. Through the data base system, the clients’

information was being saved and that the long story of filling

up application forms were being omitted. This also answers

the call from our President Rodrigo R. Duterte for a fast

and efficient service through the “Ease of Doing Business”.

This system is also being implemented in our agency in

securing the clients’ Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.

This theory is one of the best theories that brought

advance development in our government putting us away

from the litany of writing so much information that is merely

 existed a long time ago. Through the systems, a speedy

transaction is being given and the long queuing time is

avoided.

3. Bureaucratic Management Theory by Max Weber

As stated in the Toolshero website

(https://www.toolshero.com/management/bureaucratic-

theory-weber/) Max Weber believed that bureaucracy was

the most efficient way to set up an organisation,

administration and organizations. With this, everyone is

treated equal and the division of labour is clearly described

for each employee. Moreover, this theory focused on the

employee selection and promotion that is based on

experience, competence, technical qualifications,

examinations, education and training. Also, a formal rules

and regulations are clearly documented to ensure reliable

and predictable behaviour among employees and are

applied uniformly to everyone. With the said characteristics,

this explains why the bureaucracy theory is the one of the

most applicable theory in a government system.

 In our current administration system, hierarchy is clearly

organized with an organizational structure from the

President down to its constituents. Also, as support to the

President, different departments, bureaus and agencies

were created.

In terms of the governments’ administrators and

employees, the Civil Service Commission was tasked to

create the qualification standards for the recruitment and

selection of new personnel as well as their promotion. This

ensures that no nepotism transpires within the agency. Also,

work descriptions, duties and responsibilities were clearly

identified so as to ensure that every individual knows their

scope of responsibilities. Though there still happens an

overlapping of duties and responsibilities, it is allowed

provided that there is no work being compromised.

Moreover, to ensure that rules are strictly being followed,

the code of conduct and ethical standards was also created.

This is to guide every employee to all the things that they

need to do and must be avoided.

4. Administrative Theory by Henri Fayol

The administrative theory as described by Henri Fayol

was based on the concept of departmentalization. This

means that the different activities to be performed by the

organization to achieve a common goal must be identified

and classified into different groups or department so as to

accomplish it effectively. This emphasizes the organizational

management and the human and behavioural factors in the

management. The main focus of this theory is improving the

efficiency of management first so that the processes can be

standardized before its implementation to the operational or

lower level.

What is good in this theory is that the goal for an

organization is being studied first in the highest level before

its implementation to the lowest level.

This theory is also being observed by our government

especially in our agency. A clear Vision and Mission is being

set so as to know on what road or direction the agency will

go. The duties and responsibilities were divided among the

different divisions according to their specializations. And, the

 authority was clearly defined as to who has the right to give

orders and who is accountable for such actions.

Being one of the uniformed agencies in our government,

discipline is inculcated in every members of the

organization. And a unity of command is also being

observed as to whom one must receive or follow his orders.

In terms of remuneration of personnel, by virtue of the

Professionalization Act of BFP and BJMP personnel of

2004, salaries and compensation was given justice and are

satisfied.

Stablility of tenure was also one of the characteristic of

this theory that is applicable in the current set up of our

government. This was because of the positions created

through the process of an appointment. In the case of

civilian employees, a Plantilla position is being given.

5. Human Relations Theory by Elton Mayo.

The Human Relations Theory or the Motivation Theory is

advocated by Elton Mayo. He then performed an experiment

called the Hawthorne Experiment through which a

 conclusion was drawn that giving an attention to employees

will result for an improved performance. All individual

employees must be treated as members of a group and not

a mere worker of the organization. Social needs such as

belongingness must be taken into account.

In the current set up of our government, every individual

has their own duties and responsibilities. They are given the

opportunity give their capabilities and are encourage to

share their opinions to achieve the organizations’ goal. The

role of every individual was given an importance.

6. Decision – Making Theory by Herbert Simon

According to Herbert Simon, the theory of administration

should be concerned with the process of decision as well as

the process of action. It is a critical factor in an organization

as to what path or direction should be taken. As defined

from the website of Political Science

(http://www.politicalsciencenotes.com/articles/decision-

making-theory-definition-nature-and-theories/743),

“Decision-Making is a process or sequence of activities

 involving stages of problem recognition, search for

information, definition of alternatives and the selection of an

actor of one from two or more alternatives consistent with

the ranked preferences.” This shows that this process is

very vital and in need of a very deep understanding in order

for an organization to succeed.

In our current situation, the Decision-Making lies on the

hands of our Law Makers, the Congress. They are the ones

who studies, conducts researches and finally creates the

law. Every little thing that is important in passing a law must

be taken into consideration and this is done by the

Congress. They must take into account what really matters

and beneficial to the community as a whole.

7. New Public Administration

The aforementioned theories were the classical and neo-

classical theories which advocated efficiency, economy and

humanistic approach which are essential factors in

achieving one’s organizational goal. In the New Public

Administration, it has developed the following principles:

expanding and extending the reach of government services,

less formal and less authoritative structures, improved

citizen participation and socio-economic techniques.

In the current Philippine setting, the rule making process

has been open to all. Participation is no longer limited to the

law makers alone and strong influencers like business

community, big banks, and the local government but also to

the other sectors such as stakeholders, average citizens,

minorities, interest groups as well as the youth and techie

retirees. They can now voice out their concerns directly to

the law makers.