The last quarter is a season of hope and wishes.  Like many Filipinos, I have a long wish list.  But this quarter is different.  “Streamlining”, to the DOST community, suddenly became a word alive.  Either they fear it or embrace it.

The Philosopher says there is “a time for everything”.  It means comfort zones are not permanent.  Depending on one's outlook as a civil servant and individual, January 1 could be the start of “tearing down and the time for building”.

The administration wants to streamline the government.  Essentially, it aims to trim bureaucratic fats, to implement no-frills governance, and to simplify current processes.  The net result, they calculate, will be an efficient government.

There are other dark rumors on why such a drastic measure became an apparent compelling option.  But in the spirit of the season, any colorful chitchat should be treated as just a distraction.

I really hope people in responsible positions see a defined vision for the science community.  That vision, it is wished, should be engineered to make post-streamlining DOST more relevant and closest to people's development desires.  After all, it will be the 4^th restructuring since 1958.

More relevant means we hope to see an organization that is truly capable to piece together what current and previous structural set ups failed to do.  It should have the enabling tools to break or improve organizational culture that limits progress in the laboratory, in the fields, and in conference rooms where decisions and directions are drawn.

We wish—no, we want to see an organization that begins and ends with people.  That's because in a technology-immersed global relationships, people [brainpower] is the most precious resource.  A happy workforce is productive, creative, and committed.

What would make a people-oriented organization?  There are many models to follow.  But in the context of the DOST system, here are some of the basics:

• Uniform implementation of lawful benefits
• Safe and clean office and complex environment
• Recreation facilities for all
• Adequate R&D funds and equipment
• Review and reform in the hiring and promotion of personnel and management people
• System realignment from accomplishment report orientation to actual and measurable performance

There are many other issues that cry for attention.  But to achieve efficiency, first-things-first has to be resolved.

In all, the imminent streamlining is an opportunity to bring Philippine science and technology to the 21^st century realities.  It offers DOST a chance to reassess its internal systems and connect them to practical and immediate national needs.  Then it should carefully map out and consistently implement tactical and strategic steps and programs to manage international imperatives.  And the team tasked to integrate and plan and execute the final organizational outline ought to realize that they hold a truly historic role that would echo through time and until the next streamlining cycle.

That role demands that they must find and strike a balance on emotion-loaded decisions at the unit, division, and agency levels.