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[fusion_dropcap color=”” boxed=”no” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]T[/fusion_dropcap]welve public sector institutions were declared the Philippines’ first ‘Islands of Good Governance’ (IGG) during a public forum spearheaded by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), held recently at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
They were granted the opportunity to deliver their testimonials of good governance highlighting outstanding breakthroughs before an internationally-convened panel of good governance and anti-corruption champions, with the notable inclusion of Dr. Robert Klitgaard, widely regarded as “the world’s leading expert on corruption.”
Among those awarded were the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Philippine Heart Center (PHC), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); and the city governments of Balanga, Butuan, Dipolog, Mandaue, and Talisay.
All were put through a rigorous two-year selection process, including audits by respected firms the Institute of Internal Auditors Philippines (IIA-P), KPMG and R.G. Manabat & Co. and Deloitte and Navarro Amper & Co.
“Our fellow Filipinos must be directed toward these beacons of hope and learn of their achievements,” said ISA Chairman Francisco Duque III. “We are confident that this initiative will change how other countries perceive the Philippines for the better.”
Outstanding Breakthroughs
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was recognized for increasing operational readiness of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) national response units from 64% to 80% in 2015, while the Philippine Army was hailed for its initiative to craft functional personal scorecards for 100% of the Philippine Army’s non-commissioned officers or 60,000 men and women.
The Philippine Navy was commended for successfully achieving its breakthrough commitments as a Standard of Excellence, Bastion of Innovation, and Sentinel of the Sea, guided by its strategic Sail Plan 2020.
As a government agency, DTI, on the other hand, impressed the panel for its commitment to increase the country’s competitiveness by 2016 from lower third to upper third rank in the WEF global competitiveness report. It has heightened consumer awareness from 66% in 2012 to 80% this year.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) was credited for being well on its way to attaining 100% sitio energization, thus serving an additional 1.4M consumer connections, and providing P5B financial assistance to electric cooperatives.
Another awardee, the Philippine Heart Center, was praised for its desire to improve heart health status for the less fortunate. This year, it enabled five regional medical centers to serve as regional heart centers, with subsidized heart health care now underway in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Bicol, and Ilocos.
The only banking institution on the list, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was awarded for continuously being top-ranked globally in policy and regulation and for being the first central bank in the world to establish an enabling environment for financial inclusion.
The City Governments of Balanga, Bataan; Butuan, Agusan del Norte; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte; Mandaue, Cebu; and Talisay, Negros Occidental were cited for their endeavors to improve economic wellness in their locales through programs promoting knowledge-based businesses, agro-forestry, sports and recreation, high-quality manufacturing, and retiree-friendly zones, respectively.
Addressing the awardees in a formal ceremony on October 21, Duque said, “We thank you for bringing hope to countless institutions, communities, and individuals in whose lives you have made a difference through good governance. It is for this that we honor you today as models of sustainable transformation at par with global standards.”
The Islands of Good Governance is the first recognition of its kind in the country. Its official token is the lighthouse medallion, symbolic of the profound message of breaking through the darkness of outside pressures to shed light on true progress.
Currently, ISA is working closely with the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to showcase the results of the initiative in line with the country’s hosting of APEC at an event in November.
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