GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS

Dear Mr. President: May I ask who is going to be the arbiter or referee whenever there are overlaps in functions between two or more government agencies? I imagine that there would be no problem if these agencies would just cooperate and collaborate with each other, but what if they are unable to settle their differences and they would just end up throwing blame at each other or finger pointing at each other? Allow me to cite some examples.

Who is supposed to take the lead in waste to energy projects? Is it supposed to be the DENR that is supposed to handle waste? Or is it supposed to be the DOE that is supposed to handle energy generation? Or is it supposed to be the DILG since it is the one that could direct or influence the waste to energy projects of LGUs?

Who is supposed to take the lead in producing and promoting the use of biofuels? Is it supposed to be the DA, since the production of biofuels is supposed to be all about planting biofuel sources? Or is it supposed to be the DOE since it is responsible for our energy security? Or is it supposed to be the DENR since many of the plants that are producing biofuels are within their jurisdictions? For example, the nipa palms that grow next to mangroves are found in many protected areas.

Who is supposed to take the lead in controlling and regulating the use of plastics in consumer packaging? Is it supposed to be the DTI? Or is it supposed to be the DENR? For example, I see a lot of fast-food containers that are now using plastic instead of biodegradable containers. I think as a rule, the use of plastic containers should be banned for dine-in use, and biodegradable containers should be used instead.

Who is supposed to take the lead in overall flood control programs? Is it supposed to be the DPWH? But since that same flood water could also be used for irrigation, is the NIA also supposed to have a role? And since that same flood water could also be used for drinking, is the NWRB also supposed to have a role? Is there a task force that could coordinate all these? Or could the Office of the President (OP) do it?

Mr. President, since the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS) has been abolished, what office is now responsible for preparing the agenda for the cabinet meetings for purposes of coordination? Is it the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES)? Or is it the Presidential Management Staff (PMS)? I think that it should be the latter, because the PMS is not only a coordinating office, but also the think tank of the President. Perhaps the function of preparing the agenda items for the Cabinet meetings has been transferred to the PMS? Perhaps that includes the agenda item for the LEDAC also? IKE SENERES/10-07-2024


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