We can learn a lot about a person who arrives late for a meeting. Not coming on time is equal to stealing the other person’s valuable time. Tardiness, which is the opposite personality trait of punctuality, reveals how a latecomer regards other people and appreciates time which Thomas Edison describes as the only capital any human being has, and the only thing he or she can’t afford to lose. No device can restore time lost. Whether it is the Metro Manila traffic or because the Philippines is not a four season country, a new culture of punctuality must supersede “Filipino time” that connotes an undesirable culture of tardiness.

The first step is to access http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ to synchronize one’s timepieces at home, school and work with the PhST (the Philippine Standard Time). The website has a stratum 0 Network Time Protocol (NTP) server, providing Internet time dissemination. NTP is a means of synchronizing computer clock over the Internet. With this system, the Philippine Standard Time (PhST) kept by the time scale system, will be available on-line in the DOST-PAGASA website, and the NTP program will allow transfer of this time to clients accessing the site.

DOST-PAGASA, the official time keeper of the nation, uses a rubidium atomic clock for timekeeping which is very accurate. This clock has a receiver that receives timing signals from at least four orbiting satellites in the Global Positioning System within its range, according to the DOST. This clock is synchronized to the Universal Time Coordinated or UTC, which is the world’s official time. Synchronizing clocks with PhST is equivalent to UTC synchronization as well. Keeping clocks in sync with PhST is a good habit to keep since many Filipinos communicate with 7 million OFW family members scattered all over the world with different time zones. It is also useful for BPO call center specialists dealing with customers situated in other parts of the globe as well. It is also advantageous for businesses with export and import trades and banks with international financial transactions.

Second, report to DOST-PAGASA erring government and private television and radio stations who broadcast time that is different from the PhST. A five second difference with PhST is permissible, however. Erring broadcast outfits could face fines ranging from P30,000 to P50,000. In case of a second offense, their franchise to operate could be revoked or cancelled.

Thirdly, government officials must lead by example in this campaign for punctuality. Discontinue the staging of dramatic entrances. Do not tolerate delays in the start of the program simply because the audience is still thin at the scheduled hour. During my stint in Congress, city folks acknowledged my reputation for punctuality by starting and finishing programs on schedule. Unfortunately, subsequent officials have relapsed to dramatic entrances exposing personality traits deleterious to nation building.

Successful men and women observe the uncompromising virtue of punctuality which seeps into their subordinates. As William Shakespeare once said, “it is better to be three hours too early than one minute late.” No one wants to deal with tardy people who are thieves of time. Filipinos are known for many things and if we get our acts together, with effluxion, being thieves of time will no longer be one of them.