HOW important is it to meet all your office employees, get to know them, and find out from them what’s happening on the ground?
As we, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) directors, learned last week, touching base with the people in all of your branches goes a long way toward inspiring and motivating them to uphold and implement your agency’s vision and mission.
Taking the time and effort to reach out also helps increase productivity and efficiency.
The directors of the PCSO and I were in Cebu last week for the 80th anniversary celebration of the agency in the Visayas region.
The PCSO Visayas Department is headed by Federico Damole. Under his supervision are nine managers and their branches: Glen Jesus Rada in Cebu; Cedric Recamara in Iloilo; Genciano Creer in Leyte; Janette Lloyd in Samar; Roberto Pio Cinco in Bohol; Abigail Reformina in Negros Occidental (Bacolod City); Belena Alvarez in Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City); Jose Manuel Villagracia in Capiz; and John Philemon Alipao in Aklan.
The personnel in the provincial branches are to be commended, for they are the ones directly engaged with the public we are mandated to serve. Their distance from the head office in Manila places some level of constraint on their work performance: They have to step up even higher because they have to make decisions and get things done on the ground.
As Branch Operations Sector Assistant General Manager Remeliza Gabuyo said: “I tell my managers, don’t come to me with problems—come to me with solutions.” This type of leadership ensures that managers develop initiative, resourcefulness, critical thinking and analytical skills that will help them get the job done in service to our kababayan nationwide.
As I remind all our managers, they should not be discouraged in the face of challenges, for they work not only for themselves, but for others, for Filipinos around the country who rely upon the PCSO for the assistance that only our agency can give.
I invite all heads of agencies and companies, in the public and private sectors, to spend time with the people at their provincial branches. Not only will you be able to inspire and guide them, you will also learn a thing or two you didn’t know before—that’s guaranteed.
And as leaders, we accept that life is continuously a learning experience, and we are grateful for such chances that not only come our way, but that we can also make happen.
The PCSO board of directors will also meet with the Mindanao Department and their branches in Davao next month for a similar activity. After that, the directors will also visit branches in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol region, which are slated to have their anniversary celebration in May. We already connected with the Northern and Central Luzon branches in February.
Also, while in Cebu, we donated a PCSO ambulance to the municipality of Sogod, headed by its mayor, Lissa Marie Streegan.
Ambulances will also be given to the other requesting municipalities of Cebu and other cities around the country, as the vehicles would be delivered to us in the coming months.
***
CONGRATULATIONS to the four Aeta women who successfully completed a six-month course in solar electrification at Barefoot College in Rajasthan, India.
Cita Diaz (40), Sharon Flores (40), Magda Salvador (42) and Evelyn Clemente (49) left for India last September and returned two weeks ago as “solar lolas” (grandmothers) after attending the course with 32 other classmates from 11 countries.
The four lolas returned to their villages in Tarlac and Zambales with knowledge on how to set up systems using photovoltaic panels for lighting, charging of mobile phones and other small appliances, and other practical uses.
They were trained to build, install, maintain and repair solar lamps. They were also taught to make mosquito nets and sanitary pads to benefit their communities.
Their trip and training were made possible by the Indian government and Philippine non-governmental organizations Diwata Women in Resource Development Inc., Land Rover Club-Philippines and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, with the support of the Quisumbing Torres law firm.
According to Diwata President Patricia Bunye, they are reaching out to possible donors who will sponsor the setting up of solar electrification in communities, at P2.5 million per community.
Bunye, also a lawyer, believes in the transformative power of learning and the empowerment that it confers: “Given the right environment and opportunities, these women can do very well and be on an equal footing in society.”
Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II is the vice chairman and general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.