Cartoon by Lyle Jome Dela Madrid
Another one has broken the internet, just weeks after the fiasco brought about by the rebranding of the national slogan by the Department of Tourism, holding the neck of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as it unveiled its new logo, that even grade schoolers can create, on the day of its celebration of its 40th founding anniversary with an astounding cost of more than PHP 3 million. With the Philippines on the verge of experiencing economic instability with a skyrocketing debt from the world bank, it is an imperative call that government institutions and officials prioritize enforcing policies that address these issues and not the error of the third type.
From the original logo showcasing green hands holding light, PAGCOR’s new logo resembles flames which symbolize the agency igniting change and progress. According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, the change depicts its “re-energized” role as the country’s gaming regulator. Tengco explained what could be an overrated and motherly statement that the elements, when all taken together, resembles the long standing commitment of the agency ‘being a guiding force that illuminates the way forward, drives transformation and development, and brings inspiration and motivation to the lives it touches.’
However, this did not sit well with the Filipino people and certain government agencies, arguing that the exact amount, the Php 3, 035, 714.28 quotation paid to the artist Francisco Doplon was nothing but a waste of funds. The Makabayan bloc, on July 13, has ordered the House of Representatives, especially the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, through the House Resolution 1120, for an immediate and thorough investigation, and deliberate check on what could be an impulsive and corrupt action of the agency.
We cannot and we should not turn a blind eye to the possible anomalies in the procurement processes of the government. Public agencies and officials should ensure that public funds are utilized judiciously and responsibly, as even according to ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, the Filipino people is still plagued by the heightened inflation rate, low wage and salary grates to workers, poor labor opportunities, and high poverty index which need the most urgent resolution, however, PAGCOR find it necessary to procure Php 3 million of public funds just to rebrand its logo. As he noted, “Lubog na nga ang Pilipinas sa utang… tapos nagsasayang pa ng pera sa ganito.”
Clearly, this is one of the primary recurring problems of this administration as evidently seen as it is from the Department of Tourism, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, down to PAGCOR, to what seemed like an impulsive action fixing things that were not even broken in the first place. Or perhaps on the more radical side, employ off the ground policies and utilize public funds which never cater to the primary concerns of the Filipino people and utilize these policies for the advancement of their self-serving and corrupt interests. There is no urgency for policies like this but for now, PAGCOR should swiftly respond to the demands of the people and allow the Filipinos to hope that its objectives for change and progress, as manifested in its elements, ignite a sense of genuine commitment to truly take actions, and not only think that is already sufficient to rebrand their logo and think that the extremely exorbitant quotation will realize these endeavors. Perhaps this might be an unpopular statement, but corrupt practices should never be as observable and visible as this.
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