TRADE Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said he prefers a flat organizational structure to a hierarchical one as it “eliminates layers” in terms of solving problems within the agency.
During the turnover between the outgoing and incoming Trade Secretaries Ramon M. Lopez and Alfredo E. Pascual, Pascual bared he’s not a fan of the hierarchical and bureaucracy-type structure as it involves “many layers,” and is counter productive when it comes to addressing problems within the agency.
“My approach to organization is…I don’t really believe too much in very hierarchical structure. Well we are inheriting a government structure, a bureaucracy-type structure and there are so many layers: Secretary, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, Director, Assistant Director, and so on down the line,” said Pascual in his speech at the turnover ceremony on Thursday.
The new trade chief emphasized, “So before I get to know the problem, maybe you could’ve already taken days if not weeks through the bureaucratic mill.” Pascual stressed that he wants to know right away if there is a problem. Further, he said, his door is open for direct communication as long as it’s not gossip, “but something that will really help advance what we’re doing for the country.”
The new trade chief pointed out that he believes in agile organizations, also known as the flat organization, as it enables the people within the organization to “organize as the problem presents itself.”
Pascual also raised the importance of having flexibility in organizing teams, task forces, and small groups “to tackle problems regardless of the ranks.”
As problems crop up, given the very volatile and uncertain situation amid the geopolitical developments hounding the country, Pascual said, “We will try to break down the silos between departments and between DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and the attached agencies and GOCCs (Government Owned and Controlled Corporations) because “that’s the only way we can fully harness the capabilities of our people to address problems that will come our way.”
In a televised interview three weeks ago, Pascual hinted he would take a collaborative approach once he assumes his role as Trade Secretary, as this will help people in an organization or agency to easily find common ground instead of resorting to the adversarial approach, which he said, drains the energy out of people when it comes to finding solutions.
In fact, three weeks ago, Pascual highlighted that when it comes to having dialogues with consumer groups, “Ang posture ko diyan, we’ll have to listen to them, dialogue, share thoughts, magkaintindihan kami kung we are talking at the same level.”
He added that in a dialogue with the consumers, both parties have to be clear on the premises and objectives on why they are having such discussion, adding, “Eh, kung magkasundo kami diyan, madali na i-resolve yung issues na ire-raise nila.”
At the turnover ceremony, the new Trade chief noted that among his priority programs are: supporting the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as it accounts for “99.5 percent of the business establishments in the Philippines, employing 63 percent of the country’s workforce and accounting for almost half of the nation’s gross domestic product.”
Another priority under his watch as Trade Secretary is promoting local industries that directly impact the country’s food security. In relation to this, Pascual said particular focus would be given to coconut, coffee, and cacao producers.
Moreover, Pascual also aims to develop regional industries by continuing the One Town, One Product initiative, a priority stimulus program of DTI for MSMEs, which enables localities and communities to develop and promote products that are rooted in its local culture.
Pascual also aims to prioritize the manufacturing sector and initiatives for boosting ease of doing business.