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Can Be Done!
PATH-BREAKING BOOK, RUNNING A BUREAUCRACY IS NOW OUT.
With
hundreds of public administration books conked out by scholars,
writers, opinion-makers, political scientists and LGU executives
nowadays, it would be tough to pin down one singular sourcebook
of information on public office management. It’s unheard
of and practically impossible to compile all there is to know
about the subject. Until now.
Enter
Running A Bureaucracy: A Guidebook for Local Government Unit
Administrators, Other Public Managers, and Elected Officials—the
newest, freshest book on new public management and more by
veteran provincial administrator, Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita
of Bulacan.
What
makes the book different?
Running
A Bureaucracy, as the book title itself tells, is all about
knowing how the public service machinery—from the city
halls to the provincial capitols, work. But there’s
more.
The
book is 10-chapters chock-full of essential how-to’s,
practical tips, relevant legal guidelines and laws, proven
best practices in local governance, and world perspectives
and lessons in the latest public management models. In a practical,
reader-friendly format, Running A Bureaucracy sets the trend
for a governance guidebook straight from the office of the
public manager.
The Public Manager is the Longest-Serving PA
What
really sets Running A Bureaucracy from regular public administration
books is how it captures the real, life experiences of its
author. Sta. Rita is considered the longest-serving provincial
administrator; all 17 years of life dedicated to working under
two of the most highly-acclaimed post-EDSA governors in the
country—Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan and Josefina
“Josie” Dela Cruz.
Though
Sta. Rita recently intimated her desire to bring her expertise
on to the private sector, she continues to help Bulacan Governor
Joselito “Jonjon” Mendoza before her retirement
from public limelight in May 2008. She would continue to help
her province as a consultant to the provincial government.
At
45, Sta. Rita who is endearingly called PA Glads by both peers
and subordinates is a respected name in and outside Bulacan
Province, mainly because of her pivotal role in co-steering
the provincial bureaucracy to uncharted heights of efficiency
and excellence. During her extended terms, Bulacan won series
upon series of local and international awards, including the
coveted Hall of Fame status from the Galing Pook Foundation.
“I
was invited to the government service at a very young age
of 23,” admits Sta. Rita who is now mother to 3 boys
and spouse to mild-mannered agri-businessman Fortunato “Oying”
Sta. Rita. It was in the local bureaucracy that this UP-educated
economist grew and matured to be the premiere manager, adviser,
and alter-ego of Bulacan’s progressive chief executives.
The
Wisdom of Experience
Asked
if Running A Bureaucracy reflects all the lessons of more
than 2 decades of being in the local government, Sta. Rita
says it takes more than the technical know-how of public management
to complete the circle of meaningful, professional mastery
of the public office. That is why the book’s 480 pages
are interspersed with interesting sketches of wisdom quotes
culled from the author’s treasure trove of leadership
principles.
Only
in this unique public management guidebook can one find Oprah
Winfrey, Mahatma Gandhi, Princess Diana, and Sun Tzu—all
in one reading. Match them with Maxwell, Drucker, Osborne
and Gaebler, and you get multiple bookmarks to keep you wondering
how all this insights could fit into a single compendium.
This
comprehensive approach was deliberate, according to Sta. Rita.
She said she took conscious effort in incorporating page breakers
that remind the book’s intended readers that good government
is not only about seamless systems and procedures, but also
of principles and public value.
“It
takes more than the theoretical understanding of the job to
be an effective manager, so I learned, from all the years
of serving Bulacan as its provincial administrator.”
“Hindi lang galing at husay, kailangan din ng puso,
tapang, at paninindigan,” said the author on being a
passionate public manager.
Bestseller
In the Making
Sta.
Rita’s excitement over the “nationalization”
of her book brightens her eyes every time she is asked on
the prospects of the book being a bestseller.
“I
realized that when I started compiling materials for Running
A Bureaucracy, the wellspring of personal and professional
information and wisdom is so abundant, timely, and relevant,”
beams the author. The book has been enjoying encouraging reviews,
not only from the Academe and the ranks of local public managers,
but also from national leaders and personalities, because
of the breadth and usefulness of its contents.
Months
before the book’s launching as a UP Centennial Publication
at the University of the Philippines-National College of Public
Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) last April, the book
was endorsed by prominent government personalities like Senators
Aquilino Pimentel and Francis Pangilinan, and former Senator
and DILG Secretary Joey Lina. Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto
also joined the Running A Bureaucracy Express when she endorsed
the book as a “must-read” for public managers
and officials.
Director Maribel Sacendoncillo of the Local Government Academy
(LGA) echoed the same sentiments and referred to the book
as “a definitive milestone in new public management
literature in the country”.
The
League of Municipalities of the Philippines, through its Executive
Director Li-Ann M. De Leon calls Running A Bureaucracy “…an
important sourcebook for leaders and followers who want to
promote innovation and excellence in local governance”.
Following
suit is League of Provinces President, Governor Loreto Leo
Ocampos, whose strong endorsement graces the back cover of
the book. He congratulated Sta. Rita for “…coming
up with a guidebook that instructs as it inspires and takes
the noble profession of public service a notch up the bar
of excellence”.
Sta.
Rita, for her part says the book was faithfully intended to
help public managers and officials realize the urgency of
learning and coping with the demands of the job, to serve
as a compass to navigate the complex world of government,
politics, and public service with.
“I
realized in almost 2 decades of working with local chief executives
of varying management styles and preferences, that it helps
to have a model to start with; a framework of workplace management
that effectively shortens the learning curve and accelerates
excellence and efficiency in the public office,” Sta.
Rita explains. “I believe that despite all the talk
about the bureaucracy being hopelessly political, professionalism
in the public office is possible.” “It can be
done,” the author gleams confidently.
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Running
A Bureaucracy: A Guidebook for Local Government Unit Administrators,
Other Public Managers, and Elected Officials is now available
at all Powerbooks outlets at P750, and soon at select National
Bookstore branches. Copies are also available at the UP Press
and UP-NCPAG Publication center, Diliman, Quezon City and
at the Provincial Capitol Building, City of Malolos, Province
of Bulacan. For inquiries and orders, email: runningabureaucracy@gmail.com
or text/call 0928-508-1361. Pre-paid orders get free delivery.
Order forms and other information are available as www.lguadministrators.com.
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