A mayor in the Philippines has ordered civil servants to smile or risk being fined as he tries to improve the level of service provided by the local government.

Aristotle Aguirre said the policy in Mulanay town, in Quezon province, on the main island of Luzon, must be adopted "while serving the people to give sincerity by showing a feeling of calmness and friendly atmosphere".

The mayor said the new policy came in response to complaints from locals, including coconut growers and fishermen, about the unfriendly treatment they received from town hall staff when they went to pay their taxes or get help for an issue.

According to the New Straits Times, Mr Aguirre said: "When they arrive, they're dismayed at the attitude of people they transact with."

Mr Aguirre, who has a background in occupational therapy, wants to "change the attitude of our government workers".

The order demands employees adopt a "smile policy while serving the people to give sincerity by showing a feeling of calmness and friendly atmosphere".

Employees who do not comply with the order could be fined the equivalent of six months' salary or be suspended from their jobs.

Asked how the rule would be enforced when Filipinos are still required to wear a face mask in public, Mr Aguirre said people can sense if someone is sincerely helping them.

"It's just to send good vibes to our employees and constituents," he said.

The "smile order" states: "Any employee who is found through appropriate action to have violated the order shall be a sufficient ground for administrative liabilities with reference to existing laws, policies, guidelines, rules and regulations."

The mayor said on the order that the human resources team would ensure the monitoring of the policy.

SOURCE

Mayor of Mulanay Aristotle Aguirre is all smiles as he is pictured at government offices (pix)

Make them smile nah,

Men can only grin
Laffffing and smiling is for the ladies

Give me via sir. Na you go tire.

Good..

That's what Buhari and Tinubu want Nigerians to be doing, work and not get paid, smile and keep suffering, give up your lands or die, kidnap or pay ransom but we are stopping that madness from happening...

OBIDATTI2023 TO THE RESCUE

Suffering and smiling

Just like Urchins here do


They know themselves

Ovok0 front page

Problem nor dey finish

As if he smiled while saying it

I love this.

I wish this can be implemented here in Nigeria in all these years civil service and government hospitals. You need to see the way they are always frowning their faces 24/7

Things are changing in d world

Hmm

Zazzuu new country

It's funny how many are typing shit jst to b on fp comment

Me I go just buy laughing gas dey take overdose.I can't cum an lose my job just like that.

So you want to be paying her to smile....

Is it by force?

Nothing dey happen...

I'm sure if attempt is made to implement this is Nigeria vawulence will happen

He has a good reason for that. We also suffer same in Banks and Local Government Area office here.

They will keep face as if you are not the one that made them to have office

Nawao

Hmmm...trace of tyrany...SMH

@Seniorwriter

Crazy things everywhere