From guns to cars to gov’t agencies: Aquino prefers quality

President Benigno Aquino III AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III wants quality work and nothing less, be it guns, cars or government organizations.

“Merely good enough is not enough,” the President said Thursday after sharing his experiences as gun enthusiast and car lover during the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA) held at Malacañang.

Aquino recalled the times when he would accompany his mechanic to buy spare parts in Banawe Street, Quezon City.

“I was thankful for having a mechanic who was very adamant about fake parts, because the price should have been already a warning that it might be too good to be true—that the product would probably fail when you need it the most, and compromise your safety,” Aquino said in a transcript provided to media.

He also mentioned one instance when he had his shotgun “fine-tuned” only to be shocked when the expert he was referred to pounded the shotgun’s magazine tube with a hammer. While it achieved the purpose, the President said he felt it had depreciated the gun’s value.

Such experiences have led the President to appreciate the importance of quality and excellence, especially when it comes to organizations.

“With the advent of new, scientific discoveries in almost every possible field of expertise, there are very few excuses left for substandard work, and it is up to all of us—whether in the public or private sector—to usher in an era of precision, of heightened standards for every possible product and service,” he explained.

In his speech, the President congratulated the Ciudad Medical Zamboanga, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila, the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PAASCU), the Region XI office of the Department of Science and Technology, and the Philippine Information Agency for each bagging a PQA in their respective categories.

“Your commitment to improving your performance comes at a crucial time, especially for the sectors you operate in,” he said.

Aquino pointed out that in the health sector, for example, there is a need to maintain or improve a hospital’s level of performance amid the expanding coverage of PhilHealth. Schools and education organizations should also remain efficient “to give our graduates the best chance at building successful careers.”

“At a time when natural disasters are becoming more frequent and destructive, it is much more vital for the DOST and the PIA to optimize the way they gather and disseminate information to our countrymen. The pressure on you to continue your good performance is intense, since your efficiency will be measured not just by your traditional metrics, but by the number of lives you do save” he said.

The President said that the awards are not only for the recognition of the organizations’ achievements but also a reminder to do better.

“In the coming weeks, months, and years, you will be tested in different ways—and the way you respond to those challenges will have a drastic effect on the quality of life of our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

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