The Backbone of Public Service: The Ministry of Governance, Planning, and Public Service (BPD)
January 20, 2025
In Curaçao, the Ministry of Governance, Planning, and Public Service (BPD) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective functioning of government operations. It is supposed to be the organization’s technostructure. According to Mintzberg, the technostructure consists of specialists, such as engineers, planners, and analysts, who design, standardize, and optimize organizational processes. They indirectly influence operations by creating workflows, enforcing standards, and implementing training programs.
As the backbone of the nation’s public administration, the BPD is instrumental in driving good governance, fostering innovation, and improving citizens’ quality of life. It is a cornerstone for achieving Curaçao’s long-term vision: a nation built on transparency, inclusivity, and sustainable socio-economic development.
The BPD’s mission is ambitious yet clear: to create an efficient, adaptable, and grounded government apparatus based on modern technological advancements. In collaboration with other ministries, the BPD develops strategies and systems that enhance governance and service delivery across Curaçao.
This vision is encapsulated in its guiding principles:
• Good Governance: Ensuring government operations’ transparency, accountability, and integrity.
• Sustainable Development: Focusing on long-term planning and resource management.
• Empowered Public Services: Enhancing internal and external services for greater citizen satisfaction.
The ministry is responsible for several critical domains, each aligned with its broader mission of encouraging a responsive and effective government. Below are some of its primary focus areas and achievements:
1. Human Resources and Organizational Development
2. Public Services
3. The Permit Office
4. The National Archives
5. Shared Services Organization (SSO)
While the BPD made progress, several challenges impeded the ministry’s ability to achieve its goals fully:
• Budget Constraints: Funding shortfalls delayed projects like modernizing driving exams and implementing a unified database for personal and vehicle information.
• Staffing Issues: The lack of sufficient personnel in key areas impacted service delivery, particularly in the Permit Office and Public Services sector.
• Technical Readiness: Some infrastructure projects, like introducing a new ID system, faced delays due to technical and logistical hurdles.
The BPD recognizes that trust in government institutions is built through transparency and reliability. To this end, the ministry has prioritized initiatives like:
• Developing a centralized master plan for Curaçao’s long-term governance. It is unclear if this has seen the light of day.
• Introducing performance management systems to ensure government spending aligns with measurable results.
• Strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize efficiency.
Looking forward in 2013, the BPD aims to:
• Fully implement a national information infrastructure, including centralized databases for personal, business, and property information.
• Expand training programs to empower civil servants and foster a results-driven culture.
• Leverage technology to improve access to government services for all citizens.
However, as of 2013, these goals remain largely unrealized. The centralized database project, identified over two decades ago, is still not operational. The governance academy is poorly executed, the appointed CIO has not been effective in his role, and while the Integrity Bureau has been established by law, it remains unimplemented due to claimed funding shortages.
The Ministry of Governance, Planning, and Public Service is more than just an administrative body—it is a key driver of Curaçao’s transformation into a nation that prioritizes the well-being of its people. With its focus on good governance, innovation, and collaboration, the BPD lays the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Miguel Goede
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