It’s Public Service Week 2009 and events are planned throughout the country to celebrate the contributions and achievements of public service officers. Today there were displays in all districts, except Corozal, where there was an official ceremony. Here’s a look at activities in the city and Corozal.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Did you know that out of every dollar the government collects from taxes paid, the revenues are not only used to pay its public officers but to provide the country with the essential services you need?
Marilyn Ordonez, Acting Commissioner - Income Tax
“We believe that we don’t have a well informed public and so that is one of our challenges to educate the public more because if we educate them, we will have more voluntary compliance. So we need people to know the laws, what is required by the law in terms of every service provided in the country. And bring to the public exactly how their money is being spent because I think if the public knows how and where their money goes, they won’t mind paying taxes. And of course we want people to be patriotic because I like to tell people that it is your right as a Belizean to pay your taxes and it is a privilege to live in a country as beautiful as Belize but we can only have it beautiful and safe and clean if we contribute. So I like to say, pay your fair share.”
And while tax payers are expected to abide by the law it is the role of the public officer to ensure that the government administration runs efficiently.
Marilyn Ordonez,
“It was estimated that perhaps fifty cents out of every dollar government
collects goes to paying public officers’ salary. But we should not be worried about it because the main job of the government or the main objectives is to make sure the public gets service and we can only provide service if we have the people in place, the correct people in place to provide those services.”
Today the public service and public officers were recognized for their invaluable contribution. At the Corozal Civic Centre in Corozal Town over twenty public officers were honoured for twenty five years of service.
Jacqueline Godwin,
What makes a good public servant?
Marilyn Ordonez,
“I believe that a person who has integrity, who has the interest of their job at heart to provide the service wherever they are placed and does that with a wholesome heart who goes out of their way to ensure that the public is educated about the type of service they are getting.”
In Belize City some of those services were on display. Thirteen of the thirty three public service departments in Belize City participated in the exhibit.
Hertha Gentle Barber, Senior Labour Officer
“What we try to do is to make sure that both employers and their employees know their rights and responsibilities that come along with those rights.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What are some of the general complaints the Labour Department has had to address?
Hertha Gentle Barber,
“Well coming from the employers you have complaints such as workers who generally come to work and don’t follow the rules and regulations that they set forth. From the side of the employees you have complaints about people not getting paid correctly or at least they think they are not being paid properly. You have complaints about them not collecting their proper benefits. So what we’re trying to do is providing both parties with education so they could know what is supposed to happen and what is not supposed to happen.”
While it will be some years before these primary school children enter the workforce it is never too early to encourage them to think about pursuing a career in the public sector.
Marilyn Ordonez,
“In any field it is the area where you feel maybe not rewarded financially but there is a certain satisfaction in providing services to the public and it is interesting work as well.”
Just ask the young men in the Belize Coast Guard which is the law enforcement agency at sea and the work involves more than just anti drug operations.
Lt. Jr. Grade Audibaldo Monima, Belize Coast Guard
“One search one rescue is our number one priority which we do everyday, it is kind of like our bread and butter. Two, we do Customs and Immigration policy on the sea, and three, we address to any natural disaster i.e. hurricane relief.”
Public Service Day was observed under the theme “reaching higher heights in professionalism”, efficiency, accountability and transparency. Reporting for 7News Jacqueline Godwin.
Other events scheduled for this week are a variety show, a community outreach day, a ball, and also a sports day. In other public service news, yesterday, a large number of public officers were awarded with letters of promotion at a ceremony that was held at the Customs conference room. Public Service Minister John Saldivar committed to holding similar events every 6 months.
