government – Ellery's Essays

Resigning to but Reducing Red Tape

We encounter red tape in just about every transaction we undertake. It’s burdensome, annoying, and always a waste of our precious time. Red tape is a scourge, and it should be eradicated. But we don’t and we won’t get rid of it because not only do we resign ourselves to it, we accept it asContinue reading “Resigning to but Reducing Red Tape”

ESG is an Enemy of Productivity

Our enterprises are under a lot of pressure to comply with Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) mandates. Political leaders & activists have demanded that firms pursue sustainability of resources, climate change mitigation, cultural & social diversity, and ethical & legal responsibilities in our workplaces & professional relationships. So-called pundits (people who call themselves experts orContinue reading “ESG is an Enemy of Productivity”

Our Waiting Nation

This blog was written on May 19, 2013 and was re-published a few weeks after the 2022 elections. -Editor 12 noon, Election Day, May 13, 2013. I’ve been in line for almost two (2) hours waiting with about 40 other people to vote at our election precinct at the elementary school at Mandaluyong City, Manila,Continue reading “Our Waiting Nation”

The People First Proposal

I would like to propose organisations put people first when it comes to their priorities. Organisations may say they already do but based on my observations, they aren’t. Two (2) banks asked me one day to update my business’s account information. They gave me a pile of forms for my business accounts’ signatories to fillContinue reading “The People First Proposal”

Can’t Fight City Hall

Can’t fight city hall is an idiom for any futile effort against a large institution like government. If you’re just one among millions of citizens who has a complaint about a government law or regulation, chances are you’d be unsuccessful, if not dismissed at the start. Paying taxes and fees to the Philippine government isContinue reading “Can’t Fight City Hall”

When Increasing Capacity Becomes a Priority

One Sunday morning, a homeless woman at a traffic intersection was approaching cars and begging for alms. Some drivers give but most don’t. But the woman persists anyway; she shows a sign saying she’s homeless and asks for money for food. I thought as I observed the homeless woman: if the government could spend soContinue reading “When Increasing Capacity Becomes a Priority”