By AMANDA FERNANDEZ, GMA News
A group advocating good governance is preparing to showcase its report on the Philippines at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015, which will be hosted by Manila.
At a press conference on Friday at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) also said efforts to attain good governance among several government agencies, local government units, government owned and controlled corporations, and private corporations in the Philippines are underway.
ISA chairman Dr. Jesus Estanislao said “The Philippines: Islands of Good Governance (IGG)” project is working with different sectors who have committed to undertake initiatives to improve the country’s competitiveness.
“Governance is the silver bullet. It unifies leaders and citizens, attracts investments, and builds strong and progressive communities,” he said.
Also he said a report on these initiatives will be showcased at the APEC Summit in 2015.
Among the government agencies who have committed to the IGG are:
- Armed Forces of the Philippines
- Civil Service Commission
- Department of Education
- Department of Health
- Department of Social Welfare and Development
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Governance Commission for GOCCs
- National Electrification Administration
- Philippine Army
- Philippine Navy
- Philippine National Police
- Philippine Heart Center
The list for the other sectors, however, was not released.
Estanislao said each agency or unit submitted a formal statement of participation in the IGG initiative in October 2013 at a Public Governance Forum (PGF).
Participants are expected to submit a progress report on their commitment at PGFs, which began on Friday. The forum will be conducted every six months, according to an ISA statement.
It added that other PGFs are scheduled for September 2014 and March 2015.
By June 2015, participants must apply, through a final report, to become an official IGG candidate. This will be submitted to the ISA and the National Competitiveness Council for an audit, it said.
Moreover, it said successful candidates will be notified and will be part of the showcase at the APEC Summit in September. — LBG, GMA News