A better Philippines through good governance, education

SEAOIL-KN-ASOG Luzon training with SEAOIL officials and Ateneo School of Government dean Tony La Vina By: KRISTIN LEIGH LOPEZ AND GINNY VILLA-REAL, CONTRIBUTORS Hoping to be one with government s efforts to promote public-private partnerships, the Ateneo School of Government SEAOL Philippines, and Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership launched the Champions for Good Governance and Education leadership training program for local government officials. This program aims to promote the values of ethical, empowering and effective leadership; as well as to inspire local government officials to embody such values and encourage them to develop initiatives that will address basic education needs in their communities. The Champions for Good Governance and Education program is a three-phase series, targeted for completion at the end of 15 months. Ninety local government officials, 30 each from Luzon, Visas as and Mindanao will be invited to join the program. At the end of the program, each local government official will be asked to develop education reform project proposals that she can implement in his or her community. The most innovative proposals will then be selected by representatives from the Ateneo School of Government, Department of Education(DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). These chosen proposals will be funded by SEAOIL as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

The first phase of the Luzon leg was held last Oct. 20-22, at the Meralco Management and Leadership Development Center (MMLDC) in Antipolo City. This emphasized on good governance, leadership with integrity, transparency. Accountability and people's participation. Among the local government officials who participated were city mayors Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela; Madeleine Gazmen of Iriga, Camarines Sur; Linda Gonzales of Ligao, Albay; Krisel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco Albay; Danilo Leyble of Antipolo Rial; and Barbara Ruby Talaga of Lucena, Quezon. Also participating were municipality mayors Roderick Umali of Tiaong Quezon; Tito Sarion of Daet, Camarines Sur; Agnes Popa of Caramoran, Catanduanes; Ramon Orfanel of Catanauan, Quezon; Jimmy Fragata of Juban, Sorsogon; Clarita Epi of Dupax del Norte Nueva Vizcaya; Eric Constantino of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; Erwin Caralian of Guinaca, Quezon; Gerardo Calderon of Angono Rizal; Flaviano Balgo Jr. of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; and John Balasya of Kayapa Nueva Vizcaya. Vice mayors Ernesto Talens. Jr. of Cabiao. Nueva Ecija and Antolin Oreta III of Malabon City; and Councilors Lorena Boria of Valenzuela; Danilo Cruz of Cainta, Rizal; Joseph Cuaton of Taytay, Palawan; Robert Franco of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; Nelson Legacion of Naga. Camarines Sur; Lugie Lipumano-Garcia of Olongapo, Zambales; Omil Poblete of Silang, Cavite; Raul Rosal of Legazpi, Albay; and LA Ruanto of Infanta. Quezon, were also present. The success of the event could largely be credited to the attendance and participation of distinguished speakers such as Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government: Dr. Antonio La Vin a, dean of the Ateneo School of Government; Toix Cerna of the Transparency and Accountability Network; Mayor Roque Versoza. Jr of Tagudin, Ilocos Norte; Dr. Eddie Dorotan executive director of Galing Pook Foundation; political satirist Mae Paner: Sonia Lorenzo executive director of the Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines (ULAP); and Atty. Arnel Casanova, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). The first phases of the Visayas and Mindanao legs are scheduled on Dec. 1517, in Cebu. and Feb.2-4, 2012 in Davao, respectively. For those who are interested to participate in this program, get in touch with Ginny Villa-Real at (02) 433-1440 or email ginnyvillareal@yahoo.com