Good local governance

GOOD governance has been the challenge to local government units (LGUs) long before the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991 by both the central government particularly the Department of Local Government (DILG), and the non-government organizations or civil society organizations (CSOs), people’s organizations and political parties.

Despite the standards set by DILG for good local governance and the Code of Conduct defined by Civil Service Commission (CSC) for government officials and employees, most LGUs from province to the barangay are still far from exercising good governance.

First, data from DILG-Support to Local Government–Program Management Office (SLGPPMO) reveals that after more than two decades since the implementation of LGC of 1991, only 15 percent of the LGUs have been awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). It means that 85 percent of LGUs are not doing good governance but are engaged in either not so good governance or even bad local governance.

Surprisingly, Armm, which has the highest poverty incidence among the regions in the country, has more than half its population are poor, ranks “first” in Mindanao and “fifth” across the country in terms of the number of SGLG awardees.

In fact, in Mindanao, only two provinces have SGLG awards. Cotabato and Basilan. It might be helpful for government employees to have a field trip to Basilan to learn from their experience if the report is at all true.

Second, as of the 2nd quarter of 2017, only 43% of the LGUs have updated Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and currently updating their CDPs.

Whether or not those updated CDPs are responsive, evidenced-based and done in a participatory manner is another question.

Certainly, initial facts say that most don’t have effective CDP or not reflective of people’s needs and interests. But what is clear is that 57% have no or have outdated CDPs.

There is a saying “Failing to plan, is planning to fail.” Failing to comprehensively plan is planning to fail comprehensively. You may guess what will happen to the 57 percent of the LGUs that have no or have outdated CDPs.

Third, most LGUs are also highly dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government. The dependency rate is 85 percent on the average. There are even LGUs that are 100% dependent on the funds from the national government.

What will happen then to the LGUs if the national government will fail to provide funds? Most LGUs will probably be paralyzed, there will perhaps be chaos.

This condition could be a good opportunity for the CSOs to run the government as volunteers, but this day-dreaming, of course.

Giving more funds to the LGUs is still needed. But the message I’m trying to clarify is that there is the need to help the LGUs enhance their capacity to generate resources to reduce their dependence and enable them to provide more services to their people.

Fourth, local government accountability systems are underdeveloped.

There is no third party monitoring and evaluation of local government performance in many if not all of the 1,715 LGUs nationwide.

Every year, the national government is downloading more than P500 billion IRA funds to the LGUs, aside from the funds and projects provided by NGAs.

But the questions are: were these funds used properly? Were the funded projects able to improve the quality of life of the people, especially the poor and the marginalized? Was the poverty reduced?

Most LGUs would probably say yes, the NGAs would also perhaps say the same. But feedback from the citizens, particularly the project beneficiaries, are often unheard, or perhaps would say otherwise.

The limitation and major of government’s accountability system stems from its fear of nongovernment intervention especially into the state coffers and thus confining its system in a body of policy and a group of bureaucrats and technocrats, including LGU officials, dictating it, who also have high stakes in government projects. vite or any reason that may take me anywhere and for anything, I'm definitely in. I am very easy to invite and please. I won't even ask for anything. Whatever it may be I will be there. I have made it a point to always make it this way, there's no other way. I know of many who will find what I do unreasonable or questionable. Not me, I will go.

Some will find an invite to come with some "perks". A free ride, some plush bed, an allowance, gas tickets a driver or whatever. Again not me. An invite is all I ever need.

From all this comes the hard part of the spoils from being spoiled. While I may not be very difficult to invite and will always say yes, I forget about what my body can take. Always it's some ache in a joint. Whenever I go out, I get gout. That is if I take things for granted. Water is very important. Drink.

Gout is a lifestyle disease. And my advice is simply for Juan to get gout out is just to go out. Juan has to change lifestyle. By getting out, out too goes gout. Enjoy a game of golf, the sun the trees, a hike outdoors with the wife and kids or even just for the dog.

I will walk to work. Where I work I don't have parking, plus I don't like traffic so why not find the reason to just go out walking to work or to my meetings. I would run if I wanted to but it won't speak well to those I will meet if I smell and look of sweat, a perception of being hardworking may work but not really.

I eat anything today because I can. I have now developed a lifestyle that allows me to. I think you can too. There is no formula for any of this, surely we know our own body and that is it. Just make your own.

Go out I say. If not there's gout. Gout is out if you go out. See the world, travel, walk to buy Sun.Star newspaper and pandesal. A date with the wifey or kids by walking is fine too. Pick up golf. A routine of doing something whatever it may be to just get you moving will also work. Just go out. ists coming.

There are many more disadvantages now than advantages as I see it. We should be made aware of it and we should have a concrete action to address this problem. The city officials have made the tourism industry a milking cow for the past years, and as my Facebook friend comments, they have become indifferent of the what is happening to our city as long as money comes in, hopefully into the coffers of the city, not into their pockets.

Let us not wait for Baguio City to become a “dead” city. Let us be more aware and be more vigilant in order for our city not to reach the point where it will be closed for rehabilitation, like Boracay, because rehabilitating the city cannot be done in 6 months or even six years. Together, let us remind our officials and make them aware of the costs of overtourism so that they can make better decisions and policies for the good of our dear city of Baguio.

That said, the sad reality is that, we Filipinos, and probably citizens of most Southeast Asian countries, working in BPOs have the same sleep problems. One consolation is that, at least, we are not alone, Misery loves company. Cheers!