30 December
2012
The tons
and tons of litter left by the Christmas Day revelers at the Rizal Park was a
prominently featured news item (both in printed and broadcast media) last
Wednesday December 26. Although this is not an uncommon by-product of small or
big social/public events here in our country, it, to me, says a lot about the
magnitude of the effort we need to undertake, as a people, to improve national
discipline.
Although the Christmas
Day litter, at first glance, may be regarded by a large part of our citizenry
as trivial, I dare say that it says a lot about the level of our national
discipline which I believe is among the first things that need to be urgently
addressed and improved – on a national scope. This dent in our “social quality”
has to be repaired so that the initial gains attained in the last two and a
half years (e.g., improved GDP growth and bright economic growth projections by
international financial institutions, improving assessments/ upgrades from
independent economic and sovereign credit monitoring institutions,
internationally acknowledged and independently validated gains in the fight
against corruption, the projected 18% increase in tourism this year, etc.) may
be continually sustained.
I believe that
one way of instituting the needed improvement in is through the adoption of the
Japanese housekeeping system “5S” on a nationwide basis by promoting
them in organizations, both government and private - whether big or small, as
well as in schools. This housekeeping system which has been attributed as a
significant factor in bringing about the successful recovery of the Japanese
industries/economy after World War II is composed of 5 basic simple but
systematized activities, or elements, that needs to be participated in by
everyone in an organization. These five elements are Sweeping, Sorting, Systematizing,
Sanitizing and Self-Discipline.
The Sweeping
element involves the regular – daily or as needed - cleaning (or sweeping) by
an individual of an assigned floor area as well as walls. As a result, the
cleanliness of floors and walls would be automatically maintained.
Sorting involves the systematic identification
of items/materials (in one’s assigned area of responsibility) into what’s
essential/non-essential and the proper disposal or appropriate relocation (if
possible) of those identified as non-essential to other areas. This activity
would facilitate the “de-clogging” of a particular area, or space, and can
bring about a more effective/efficient utilization of assets.
Systematizing involves organizing one’s area
of responsibility such that each item/material that’s essential to the area’s
operation, or activity, is provided with a proper and clearly assigned location.
Doing this would assure a better or faster access to needed materials and items
(e.g., spare parts, tools, instruments, etc.) as well as improve their care and
protection. Such a streamlining would have a positive impact not only on
efficiency and effectiveness, but also on cost.
Sanitizing involves the implementation of
steps that would assure the cleanliness and sanitation, not only of one’s area,
the items/materials as well as the activities involved therein, but also that
of the personnel located in that area. Doing this would be addressing the
health and safety concerns regarding not only the personnel, but also of
customers who may be accessing such area, or who consume products produced
there.
Self-Discipline, which is the ultimate target of
the “5S” housekeeping system is generally automatically developed once
the first four elements (namely Sweeping, Sorting, Systematizing and Sanitizing)
are “institutionalized” (or regularly implemented – based on documented
procedures - by individual members of the organization, without prodding).
As I
earlier opined, one way to improve national discipline is through the
nationwide adoption of this Japanese housekeeping system in the government
(LGUs, Agencies/Offices, GOCCs, etc.), the private sector (business
establishments, NGOs, other organizations, homes, etc.), and most especially in
all levels of our educational system where it can already be instilled in the
minds of the our young so that they can grow up with it and be an influence to
them in growing their frame of mind. Such a scenario, I believe, could only
result to improving our national discipline – especially in the long term – and
can permanently repair this “social quality” dent because the discipline that’s
developed in the individual through “5S” can enhance the individual’s
ability to develop or strengthen his/her discipline in other responsibilities
demanded of a good citizen…like shunning corruption.
Although
this housekeeping system may strike those that are unfamiliar as simple, those
that have adopted it will say that it is not so. This is because success in
adopting it is really dependent on the “active development” of the right system
for each of the five elements (i.e., creating the necessary procedures and
guidelines and continuously revising as necessary to make them appropriate and
effective), as well as in developing the discipline in practicing and making
the elements a way of life. Given this, it means that although the complete “5S”
education can be given in one sitting, it may take some time and involve a lot
of struggle and determination to develop the discipline to succeed in adopting
it.
But what
has so far been said is intended for the long term, and the immediate concern
that I look at, at this point in time, is the coming New Year’s Day, January 1,
2013. What can be done to prevent the recurrence of that not so pleasant
“mega-littering” that happened about a week ago at the Rizal Park. On this I
would subscribe to the suggestion of one of the obviously disgusted workers
assigned to collect the litter and clean the park last week. That is, for
revelers to bring containers (like a plastic bag, etc.) where they can consolidate
their garbage instead of throwing them anywhere/everywhere, and then just pile
these garbage bags beside a park garbage can before leaving. Hopefully, this
make-do system will prevent the repetition of the Christmas Day
“mega-littering”.
It will also
perhaps help if more posters are installed all over the park advising revelers
to refrain from littering, and to just throw their garbage in the park’s
garbage cans/bins which I hope are sufficient in number. ‘WISHING EACH AND
EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com)
or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
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