The City Government of Dipolog presented their Performance Governance System (PGS) gains at the June 10 public governance forum in Unilab Campus Bayanihan Center. The event was headed by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) and co-convened by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).
Local chief executive Evelyn Uy traced the city’s journey back to 2009, when Dipolog partnered with ISA to undergo PGS, a governance reform program that assists local governments in designing and executing strategies for local economic growth. The local government considered the city’s strengths and weaknesses to develop its vision of becoming the ‘Center for Outdoor Sports of the South by 2020.’
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Dipolog Mayor Evelyn Uy presents the city’s gains and initiatives under the PGS during the June 10 Public Governance Forum at the Unilab Campus Bayanihan Center.
In 2015, Dipolog became one of the first 12 Islands of Good Governance (IGG), an ISA initiative to recognize milestone achievements in governance reform. The city was recognized for its breakthrough commitment of developing the Dipolog Boulevard as an outdoor sports and recreation hub. Its impact covers an increase in tourism receipts and Boulevard income. From Php 538.8 million in 2013, tourists’ expenditures soared to an annualized Php 764 million in 2015. Meanwhile, income from Boulevard space rentals increased from Php 1.93 million in 2014 to an annualized Php 4.63 million in 2015.
Even after successfully completing all four stages of PGS, Uy confirmed the city’s continued push for transformation to ultimately better the lives of locals. Plans for moving forward involve the following: inviting sports organizers to hold events in the city; improving development plans for facilities such as the Dipolog Sports Complex, the Dipolog Boulevard, and the Dipolog Outdoor Adventure Zone at Cogon Eco-Tourism Park; and packaging the city as a possible venue for the Palarong Pambansa (National Sports Festival) in 2019 and other national games.
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Uy listens to panelists’ comments after her presentation for Dipolog City.
The panel for Dipolog City was composed of Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Mr. Arnie Bayag, Hanns Seidel Foundation Philippines’ Ms. Maryann Co, NCC’s Mr. Guillermo Luz, Development Bank of the Philippines’ (2003-2012) Mr. Brillo Reynes, and Research Education and Institutional Development Foundation, Inc.’s Ms. Cherry Lyn Rodolfo.
Dipolog City was conferred PGS Institutionalized at the end of the forum, making official its graduation from ISA’s governance reform program. It was also awarded a Silver Trailblazer by the panel for an exceptional public presentation.
To contact the editor of this story, email Marielle Antonio at [email protected].[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]