Public participation for good governance

By JULIEANNE DEE C. LANGCAUON, RAFI Intern
September 30, 2013

CEBU CITY – In the wake of the recent "pork" barrel scandal that shook the Philippine government and the nation, Filipinos are reminded on the importance of good governance, which integrate public awareness and participation in pursuit of political stability.

“We are still in our stage of infancy in good governance. Many Filipinos are still passive, lack the necessary maturity to act in accordance with our ideal principles in life,” Richard Fernandez, faculty of Political Science Department at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, said during the Sept. 21 episode of "Pagtuki", the official radio program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).

For Fr. Carmelo Diola, executive director of Dilaab Foundation Inc., good governance is an exercise of servant leadership on public or government affairs.

Diola added that in the country's journey towards good governance, technology, in the form of social media, is an advantage Filipinos can utilize.

Across the nation, the series of rallies decrying lawmakers' misuse of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is a manifestation of social media's impact to mass action in response to injustice.

Fernandez urged the people to actively participate in making things happen for the country. This he describes as political participation.

With political participation, Fernandez explained, accountability, responsibility, and transparency follows. He referred to Article 2 of the Philippine Constitution which states, “The power of the government emanates from the people.”

“When we speak of good governance, this includes everyone not only the officials. This is important if we want our goals realized,” Evelyn Nacario-Castro, executive director of RAFI’s Eduardo Aboitiz Developmental Studies Center (EADSC), commented.

Castro further explained that politics is created by people for their necessity and to promote their welfare. And if there is something people want to achieve collectively, then they themselves should make it happen.

“Our greatest asset, aside from the abundance of our natural resources, is our human resources. Filipinos are skilled, talented and people with capacity. If we can make things happen then we have the capability, but because of passivity then nothing happens. It’s time to take things seriously and participate,” Fernandez urged.

In the coming barangay elections, Diola encouraged the public to be discerning voters as this is an opportunity to practice good governance.