NEWS & EVENTS
Paulinians attend confab on good governance
By: Mr. Ronald Sumait
Date posted: 02.24.2010
St. Paul University Philippines-Knowledge for Development Center (SPUP-KDC) information staff, Mr. Ronaldo Sumait, and Public Administration & Legal Management instructor, Mr. Mark Dominador Ventura, attended the national conference, Panibagong Paraan for Good Governance 2009, held at the Asian Institute of Management, Makati City, November 4-6,2009.
The conference, Panibagong Paraan for Good Governance 2009 (New and Innovative Ways in Good Governance), put a spotlight on how local government officials have successfully empowered their constituents, partnered with civil society organizations for better public service delivery and protection of disadvantaged groups, enhanced transparency and social accountability, and how all these were used to make growth work for the poor.
Spearheaded by the World Bank, the Asian Institute of Management – Center for Development Management, and the Ateneo School of Government, the conference emphasized that “Good governance is a key factor in effective public service delivery, empowering poor and disadvantaged groups, hammering down the costs of goods and services that government buys, sustaining investments, and improving the quality of economic growth.”
Among the speakers were Ramon Magsaysay awardee and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, World Bank Country Director Bert Hofman, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito, and AIM Associate Dean of Center for Development Management Juan Miguel Luz.
Local government officials, like Mayor Florante Gerdan of Nueva Vizcaya, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias, and Mayor Pedro Acharon of General Santos, were some of the resource persons during the panel discussions.
In his talk, Mayor Robredo explained how good governance starts with the local chief executive, who is made potent with the participation of civil society, and each individual in every locality.
“Leadership should demonstrate that if you want to have a culture of excellence, you should be excellent yourself. If you want a culture of honesty, you should be honest yourself,” said Mayor Robredo.
Naga City is one of the models for good governance in the country, earning awards for projects. One of which is iGovernance where its city hall used the Internet to enhance transparency.
“We know that there are great governance achievements out there at the local level,”said Hofman. “We need to bring out these examples, learn from them, and support further reforms.”
“What we need is to work on the quality of growth,” Habito remarked.
Other good governance models were highlighted during the conference, like Mayor Prudencio Maxino’s Kalahi program in Mulanay, Quezon, which empowers barangays to craft their own development agenda, and Mayor Florante Gerdan’s strategy to professionalize the local bureaucracy by focusing on performance.
“The best campaign strategy is delivering public services well and empowering communities,” said Mayor Maxino.
A representative from the World Bank also discussed selected development topics, under the broader theme of its Country Assistance Strategy, "Making Growth Work for the Poor." Such topics will be included in a series of Discussion Notes, which are intended to serve as vehicles for stirring and informing policy discussions and dialogue as the next medium-term Philippines Development Plan is developed.
Dr. Edilberto de Jesus, AIM President, shared that “Change leaders are always, without exception, those who are ethical and transparent. Leaders who are serious about good governance are the kinds of leaders that will bring about transformation in our country.”
“In fighting poverty, it is not enough that we put the economy on a growth train or expand trade and industry. Governance is as much a part of the battle against poverty and inequality as roads and bridges,” Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Viña articulated.
Engaged participants
Meanwhile, Sumait was requested to share on blog-posting press releases on the internet and discuss the activities of SPUP-KDC; whereas, Ventura was tasked to facilitate during the presentation of action plans on Panibagong Paraan for Good Governance.
Sumait explained that SPUP-KDC’s activities are focused on Good Governance, Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability.