public service

THERE is a quiet kind of joy in ticking off a full list of government errands in one afternoon. Not because it happens often, but because when it does, it feels like a miracle. No fixer needed. No dramatic sighs. Just systems that actually work—like when government offices stick to the “No Noon Break” policy, not just in signage but in spirit.

For those of us who live in the city, this policy is helpful. For many others, especially those from far-flung barangays, it is everything. Picture a public school teacher from Antique who wakes up before sunrise to catch the lone trip to Iloilo City just to renew her PRC license. A closed window at lunchtime is not just an hour lost. It is an added burden, another absence from class, and sometimes another day’s meal spent on fare. Multiply that by thousands—farmers needing permits, market vendors needing clearances, retirees claiming benefits—and you start to grasp the cost of a closed counter.

That is why the No Noon Break rule exists. As part of the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s push under RA 11032, the law simply asks that offices serving the public do not all take lunch at the same time. Someone must stay behind to help those waiting. It is not revolutionary, but it is humane. And it costs almost nothing to do right.

But as always, implementation makes or breaks policy. There are offices—like the PRC in Iloilo—that prove it works. My recent license renewal took just 15 minutes. No confusion, no cold stares, no “balik-balik bukas.” Just clear signages, helpful staff, and an online system that worked. That kind of service sticks with you because it is so rare, yet so simple. On the other hand, many agencies still treat the policy as wall art. Actress Saab Magalona once shared being told to come back at 2 p.m. despite arriving at noon—proof that a posted clock means little if nobody’s at the desk.

But when offices get it right, it feels like the future. I once finished a cedula, barangay clearance, court and police documents, and several school certifications in one smooth round. Even during lunch hour, staff worked in shifts. They were not skipping meals—they just planned better. And that is what good governance looks like: not superhero efforts, just responsible scheduling.

Of course, service workers deserve fair breaks. The point is not to stretch people too thin but to create flexible systems that serve everyone. Agencies like Customs and the PNP have adopted staggered shifts. One group eats early, the other late. Nobody goes hungry, and no client goes unheard. It is not about pushing staff harder—it is about pushing leadership to think smarter.

More than anything, this is about empathy. Think of the lola from Guimaras who ferries to the city just to file an SSS claim. Or the single mom from Calinog who spends her last coin on fare, only to be told, “Lunch break, balik ka na lang.” These are not rare cases—they are daily stories. For many, each document represents time lost, income missed, or dignity frayed. Cutting off service at noon is not just a pause. It is a barrier.

This is what ARTA tried to change. Yet in the 2016 CSC Report Card Survey, only 12.6% of government offices were rated “excellent.” Over 11% failed outright. But some are stepping up. The SSS and BIR now implement “no cut-off, no noon break” rules after surprise ARTA checks. The law might not be perfect, but it sets the bar. The rest is up to leadership and culture.

Even the PNP needed a reminder. In Batangas and Crame, lunch breaks used to mean empty desks. After complaints, they were called out. Because yes, even the ones meant to enforce law must follow it. No one is exempt from serving with compassion.

But let us be clear: there is hope. My 15-minute PRC story and full-day eight-office sprint prove change is not fantasy—it is happening. These should not be flukes. They should be models. Because real service is not about speed alone. It is also about tone. A smile at the counter. A guard who explains clearly. A staff who listens instead of dismisses. These build trust faster than any tarpaulin or speech.

To those drafting policies—this is not about skipping lunch. It is about skipping excuses. Do not stretch people thinner. Stretch creativity. Build shifts. Build empathy. And to the civil servant reading this while on break: your work matters. But so does the time of the tricycle driver waiting outside your window. True public service respects both.

In the end, this policy is not really about lunchtime. It is about fairness. It is about making sure that those who come from the farthest, wait the longest, and sacrifice the most, are not turned away by a clock. True service shows up even when it is inconvenient.

If this story had a face, it would be the clerk who chose to stay so a tired father could finish his child’s birth certificate. Or the officer who helped a farmer complete his business permit without attitude or delay. These are the ones who remind us: service is not a favor. It is a promise. And in this country that has waited too long, a small act of presence can go a very long way.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ”student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.