August 25, 2006 was D-Day. No, it’s not Normandy happening all over again and the ideals this time was nowhere as lofty as waving the flag of freedom against the face of oppression. It was more mundane, specifically getting into the Guinness book of world records. Secretary Angelo Reyes has proposed the Green Philippines Highways Program (GPHP) and it was launched on that date. His intentions, uniting the whole Philippines regardless of age, creed, and social standing in support of a nation-wide program to plant trees along major thoroughfares, were admirable but its implementation was probably the most chaotic in the history of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Was the launching of the program a success? If the aim of GPHP was to set the record of the most number of trees planted simultaneously, then it did just that and was a winner. On the other hand, if we consider its supposed goal of providing a welcome shade along highways for commuters and a sink for pollutants spewed by their vehicles results, then three months after launching, the results are very telling. Seedling mortality — number of death in a given population– was high and the launching day has left a bitter aftertaste among implementers.
So what went wrong? It was not more a question of wrongs as it is a question of rights. Basically, the only thing that went right with the program was the idea. There was just nothing to support that seed and nurture it to fruition. The Secretary was good soldier and an exceptional general but this one just did not bore his trademarks.
The basic premises of planning battles was disregarded
In his ancient treatise on war, Sun Tzu wrote about defeating the enemy even before the battle began. One way to accomplish this is to properly plan any campaign in advance. The plan for the GPHP before its implementation is haphazard at best, non-existent at most. Three months after launching, there is still no concrete and comprehensive plan for the supposed five years of its duration.
The aim was off the target by a mile
You hit what you aim for. The goal of GPHP should be sustainability, making sure those seedlings will become trees and perform their intended functions. Instead, too much emphasis was put on setting a world record for the most number of seedlings planted in one setting. Stakeholders and implementers thought August 25 was GPHP and went about their usual routine after it was done.
First and foremost is discipline
Most military men had heard this admonition at least once: Keep It Simple Stupid! Too many of the Secretary’s lieutenants wanted to push their own ideas on what should be done for GPHP. A week before, on D-day itself, and right after the launching, contradicting instructions kept coming from HQ. The result was bedlam.
Partisan politics and service don’t mix
Professional soldiers disdain politicks for it can divide the ranks. Secretary Reye’s aspirations to serve his country as a senator was running the rumor network even before he was tapped to head the department. The average Juan, Maria, and Pedro simply refused to exert their best efforts for GPHP because they believe it was just a cover for the Secretary’s politicking.
Timing is everything
The Nazi’s winter war in the eastern front was timed to use the frozen ground to their panzers’ advantage but they were not prepared for the frigid Russian winter or the steely determination of desperate men. The GPHP was launched at the end of the summer season, in one of the dry months. In addition, most of the seedlings were not properly hardened before planting along the highway where they were exposed to the scorching sun and wilted within days.
