Good Governance

   Governance refers to a process whereby elements in society wield power, authority and influence and enact policies and decisions concerning public life and social upliftment. It describes the "proper functioning of institutions and their acceptance by the public" (legitimacy). It also invokes the efficacy of government and the achievement of consensus by democratic means (participation).

   Good governance is a collaborative effort between the public sector, business sector and those in civil society. It can be understood as a set of eight major characteristics, to wit: participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus orientation, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency and accountability. Through the proper implementation of these characteristics, the delivery of basic services to the people and ethical standards of society is improved.

   This chapter presents the accomplishments of different regional line agencies, local government units, civil society and the private sector towards achieving good governance as per strategies outlined in the MTRDP.

Strategy:  Rendering effective delivery of basic goods and services through:

 

Strengthening of the Gabay sa Mamamayan Action Centers (GMACs). 

• The Partido Development Administration (PDA) and Bicol University (BU) strengthened  their GMACs by providing the right information about the office/agency programs and services to the community level.

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• The City Government of Legazpi established functional GMACs in all barangays. The LGU distributed IEC materials of NGAs and LGU to barangay constituents.

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• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur provided a Public Information Desk manned by competent staff with informative materials that are to be provided to clients and the general public.

Production of primers/brochures/websites about government agencies in a manner that can easily be understood by an ordinary person in the barangay.

 

• The Partido Development Administration (PDA) produced brochures/primers about the functions of the office and it is currently making its own website. 

• The City Government of Legazpi regularly published a newsletter through its Public Information Office. These were distributed to NGAs, NGOs and business establishments as part of the transparency program of the city. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte produced brochures/primers however, these needed to be explained and translated to be easily understood. 

• The City Government of Sorsogon produced and distributed brochures/ primers to its constituents to provide updates on the city's proposed and on-going activities. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur regularly published newsletters, issued press releases, brochures, flyers or posters, streamers, tarpaulins or other IEC materials regarding local government plans, programs and special events. 

• The National Statistics Office (NSO) 5, Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) and BU produced primers in Bicol and Masbateño dialects to facilitate office transactions. 

• The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 5 website was administered by the office central office. The production of primers for use in “radyo aralan” were translated to the local dialect. 

• The Provincial Government of Catanduanes posted in its website the profile of the province and also distributed tourism brochures. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 distributed brochures: RA 9262, 9208, 7610, Criminal Justice System – Drug information campaign material, Social values to LGUs and PNP offices. Brochures relating to NAPOLCOM and its function, crime prevention tips and checklist for welfare benefits to PNP offices were in Filipino.

More meaningful agency celebration through community outreach activities.

 

• The Partido Development Administration (PDA) had no agency celebrations but the office co-sponsored medical/surgical/dental missions in selected LGUs. 

• The City Government of Legazpi conducted the following activities: a) Alay Tanim, Lakad sa Puso on Valentine's Day; b) Quarterly River Clean-up Drive by City employees/barangays; and c) Adopt-A-Park/Roadside Project by at least two hours of cleaning every Friday by the city employees. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte celebrated historical and national celebrations with activities involving community participation.

• The City Government of Sorsogon conducted the Sararo, Sarabay sa Barangay Program as part of the office celebration. 

• The Civil Service Commission (CSC) 5 had engaged in the following activities: a) Tree planting activities; b) Linis Kapaligiran Activities/ Adopt a Bay; c) Feeding Program for Malnourished Children; d) Visit to the “Home for the Aged;” and e) Blood Letting Program. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur conducted the following outreach activities, to wit: Regular Medical and Dental Missions, Barangay Consultation and Trainings, distribution of relief items, palay seeds inputs/fertilizers, livelihood trainings and other related activities for nutrition and supplemental feeding, Barangay Planning and Financial Management Enhancement Program “ Dalan sa Kalangitan”, etc. 

• The National Statistics Office (NSO) 5 distributed used clothings/grocery items during the NSO Anniversary celebration. 

• The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) invited the community particularly the provincial, municipal and barangay officials in the celebration of Charter Day. 

• The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 5 continuously provided technical assistance and consultancy services to all LGUs at all levels. Likewise, the office provided assistance to NGAs in its advocacy campaign of some of their programs and projects to LGUs.

• The employees of the Provincial Government of Catanduanes participated in the tree planting activities during the Civil Service Week. The province also conducted feeding programs to malnourished children. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 conducted the Police Community Relations Month Celebration and Community inter-agency interaction.

Strategy:  Clustering of government-sponsored training programs to make training cost less expensive among agencies/LGUs; 

• The City Governments of Legazpi and Sorsogon coordinated/synchronized capability building activities for less expensive training cost. 

• The Civil Service Commission (CSC) provided technical assistance through the provision of resource persons to agencies during in-house trainings. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur provided counterpart funds to NGO and LGU-sponsored trainings on disaster risk management, agricultural production, expansion program by district, enhancement barangay training clustered by municipalities. 

• The National Statistics Office (NSO) 5 conducted the Barangay Civil Registration Training by cluster to make it less expensive.  

• The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), Bicol University (BU) and DILG 5 clustered its participants in various trainings and seminars. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 and PNP 5 jointly conducted trainings for the PNP disciplinary machinery to make the training cost less expensive.

Strategy:  Transformation of regional line agencies into globally competitive and service-oriented institutions through:

 

Upgrading agencies' qualification standards into ISO equivalent standards. 

• The City Government of Tabaco institutionalized the Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (PSEMO) to minimize damage to life, property and livelihood in times of disaster, calamities and emergency. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur conducted the following activities: a) adoption of on-line passporting in collaboration with the DFA; b) provision of technical training on EP and Nihonggo to compete with the requirement of foreign countries; and c) computerization of administrative operations. 

• The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) and Bicol University (BU) pursued the accreditation of their academic programs. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 conducted the following: a) sent personnel to trainings to enhance their professional ethics; b) implemented functional personnel evaluation system c) upgraded the office standards in police professionalization; d) encouraged employees to continue their education through seminars and schooling; and e) rationalized service quality with cost.

 Streamlining the bureaucracy by eliminating redundant positions and offices. 

• Partido Development Administration (PDA) eliminated redundant positions after their rationalization plan was approved. 

• The City Government of Legazpi performed the following activities: a) recruitment of personnel using qualification standards for career positions; and b) rationalization in the employment of job order workers.

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur merged one or two offices with more or less similar functions, e.g. IEDC, Livelihood, Investment and Development Management Office and Camarines Sur Center for Sports & Recreation, and other PGO operating units (Cultural and Tourism Office). 

• The Philippine National Police (PNP) 5, Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) and Bicol University (BU) studied their organizational structure and scrapped redundant positions. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 implemented EO #366 (Rationalization Law).

Implementation of 5S (Sort, Sweep, Sanitize, Systematize, Self-Discipline) in government offices.

• The DEBESMSCAT, BU, PNP 5 and DILG 5 implemented/adopted the 5S program.

Full implementation of transactions in government line agencies. 

• The City Government of Legazpi institutionalized the Government E-Procurement System (GEPS) which simplified the procedural requirements in the conduct of purchase for office equipment and supplies. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur fully implemented RA 9184 on the New Procurement Law and the Synchronization, Planning, Expenditure Management Program using the SMC No. 1, S-2007. The province also created the “PMUs in the Co-management Areas of DENR on Tourism and Agriculture” and the “ Local Revenue Generation Enhancement Management System.” Further, the province implemented the Inter-department Adoption of Archival System – updating through digital operation, storing of data and retrieval system while discarding or setting aside old files. 

• The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) implemented the elimination of red tape by reducing the number of signatories for different transactions. 

• The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 5 manned a Public Assistance Center (PAC) with an Officer of the Day responsible in assisting and facilitating transactions of walk-in clients for immediate action.

Strategy:  Increasing revenue collection through:

 

Transparency in all government transactions through publication and regular updates in websites. 

• In order to uphold transparency in government transactions, the City Government of Legazpi regularly submitted through its Public Information Office press releases to local weekly tabloids of the City accomplishments. Also, the LGU conducted an annual assessment and review of targeted plans/programs/activities through corporate planning. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte posted the provincial financial statements (monthly, quarterly and year-end) in the bulletin board to uphold transparency in the office. 

• The Civil Service Commission (CSC) ensured transparency in all its transactions through: a) publication of vacant positions in the CSC website; b) publication of the procurement of supplies and materials including the implementation of infrastructure projects in websites; and c) assisting/monitoring agencies on the posting of work flow chart and service guides. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur regularly updated its provincial websites particularly on tourism, IT and other development updates. Furthermore, the province also posted its transactions on their website prior to the conduct of biddings. 

• The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 5 had a functional Bids and Awards Committee. Vacant positions in the office that are to be filled-up were also published. 

• The Provincial Government of Catanduanes posted through Bids and Awards Committee all procurements made in the GEPS website. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 reported the office accomplishments, projects and activities through tri-media. The office also used its website for the announcement of schedules and results of PNP entrance and promotional exams.

Correctly stated government/professional fees and institutionalization of the issuance of receipts to clients. 

• The Partido Development Administration (PDA), Bicol University (BU) and the Provincial Government of Masbate had institutionalized the issuance of receipts to their respective clients. 

• In order to facilitate/fast-track the issuance/renewal of business licenses and permits, the City Government of Legazpi established the Operation of the One-Stop-Shop/Center. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte sent letters to NGOs requesting for a list of professional/members in the province. 

• The City Government of Sorsogon institutionalized fees through the Citizens Charter. 

• The Civil Service Commission (CSC) provided receipts to all monies received as fees for services/official documents requested. Relatedly, the schedule of fees were also posted and disseminated to agencies if there were changes made. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur conducted the following: a) updating of Tax Revenue Code; b) posting of the flow of transaction and cost for the smooth processing and tax payment; c) computerization of Real Property Tax Assessment; and d) creation of a Special Task Force on Tax Enhancement and enforcement of policies and strict imposition of fines and penalties, and provincial tax impositions. 

• The National Statistics Office (NSO) issued Official Receipts to CRS clients and clients who bought NSO Publications. 

• The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) institutionalized the issuance of receipts and fees for the different services by following the memoranda sent by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 issued examination stamps on police examinations and official receipt for authentication and clearance fees.

Strengthening the auditing system of government agency. 

• The auditing system of the Province of Camarines Norte was strengthened through research and seminars. 

• The Civil Service Commission (CSC) through the Policies and Systems Evaluation Division (PSED) focused on Personnel Management Assessment and Assistance Program to assist non-accredited agencies to look into the way they manage their personnel programs as well as the competencies of their HRMOs. 

• The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur implemented the following: a) conduct of Regular Preliminary and Post Review of LGU transactions; b) conduct of Regular Exit Conferences; c) strict compliance of COA enforcement on Risk-Based Audit Assessment (RBAA); d) fully implemented the Electronic-National Government Accounting System (E-NGAS). 

• The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology's (DEBESMSCAT’s) properties and financial transactions were audited regularly by the Commission on Audit (COA). 

• The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 5 fully implemented the new Government Accounting System. 

• COA audited all transactions in the Provincial Government of Catanduanes. 

• The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 conducted the following activities: a) pre-audit of cash advances for official travels; b) pre-consultation with the resident auditor on need basis; and c) post audit of all disbursements.

   Other Programs/Projects/Activities Not Included in the MTRDP 

   The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte established a database system through the use of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) that provides timely information down to the household level. It can be used in planning, identification of direct beneficiaries, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects.                      

   Significant Events and Developments

• The Provincial Government of Masbate conducted a Poverty Summit  which enhanced the awareness of LGUs on the poverty situation of the province. 

• The formulation of the Provincial Environment Code of the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte is on its finalization stage. The Code supports the socio-economic development and environmental management of the province. The province had already prepared and adopted the Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP). Some of the identified projects in the PDIP are in full swing of implementation.

• The City Government of Sorsogon created the Citizen's Charter.   

• The Civil Service Commission (CSC) launched the “Government Express Goes to the Mall”. About 606 clients benefited from the various services of twelve agencies who participated in the two-day activity at the Pacific Mall, Legazpi City and Central Plaza, Daet, Camarines Norte.

• The CSC and DepEd forged a Memorandum of Understanding for an expeditious release of appointments submitted for attestation to the CSC and in order that the newly appointed teachers in government will be able to get their salary on time to meet the cost of living. 

• The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 5 assisted in the conduct of two elections - Synchronized National and Local Elections and Barangay and SK Elections. Delays in the resolution of election protest and election-related violence gravely affected the performance of LGUs.

   The effects of typhoon Reming in 2006 still affected the performance of LGUs in 2007.

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