The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) held its Public Governance Forum (PGF) last 27th of June 2019 at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound in Pasig City. Over 200 delegates witnessed the public revalidas of six hospitals who are currently making strides in their journey with the Performance Governance System (PGS). The PGF also included speeches by Dr. Robert Klitgaard and the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), the conferral of new members into ISA’s Society of Fellows and Society of Associates, as well as the launch of the latest work by the Chairman Emeritus and Founder of ISA, Dr. Jesus Estanislao.
The event began with a keynote speech delivered by Dr. Robert Klitgaard, a professor at Claremont Graduate University and consultant on economic strategy and good governance. His speech discussed the phenomenon of “backsliding” in the political and economic sphere wherein communities are unable to sustain their progress and return to their state before development. He tackled preventive measures against corruption and the prevalent issues around the world in his speech, placing much emphasis on the importance of good governance in fighting corruption.
The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), one of the partners of ISA for this year’s PGF, delivered a discussion centering on the Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration through their president, Dr. Beaver Tamesis. The framework seeks to ensure the presence of responsible and ethical decision in the relationship between the key players in the healthcare sector and the patients that they serve. With this framework, PHAP and the other signatories work towards the institutionalization of ethical practices in the systems of the healthcare sector to bring forth the best services that they can deliver.
In the public revalidas of Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), Rizal Medical Center (RMC), Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Center (JBLMRC) and Batangas Medical Center (BatMC), these hospitals showcased what they have achieved in accordance to the roadmaps they have created with the Performance Governance System (PGS). At the awarding ceremony, ITRMC and BRTTH were recognized as “Silver Trailblazers” for their efforts. Additionally, RMC, R1MC, and BatMC were given the title of “Gold Trailblazers” for the work that they had accomplished.
ISA Founder and Chairman Emeritus launched his latest book The Filipino’s Guide to Good Governance during the closing ceremony. His latest work revolves around the role of personal governance in enabling people to be the best governance assets to the country. He invited contributors from ISA and its sister company, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), to share testimonies about their personal governance journeys.
The closing ceremony also included ISA’s conferral of new members to their Society of Associates and Society of Fellows which included Atty. Paolo Raynor E. Salvosa from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to the former and Dr. Glory V. Baltazar from the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and Dr. Maria Linda G. Buhat from the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP) to the latter. A speech from Guillermo Luz, an associate director at the Ayala Corporation and ISA Trustee, concluded the event, centering on the inspiration the PGF and the presentations through the public revalidas wished to trigger within its delegates. With events like the Public Governance Forum, ISA hopes that it will be able to motivate more Filipinos to join the journey towards a Dream Philippines and take action in changing the country.