Iloilo City is RP’s model for good governance
Iloilo City has been cited by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), as one of the two cities in the country with distinctive mark on good governance.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said that the ISA, a non-government organization that advocates good governance, made an assessment and thereafter decided to elevate the mark of this city into the institutionalized level.
The city shared the distinction with San Fernando City in Pampanga.
Prior to the institutionalized level mark, the city has to pass through initiated, compliant and proficient levels to achieve several target goals enumerated in a scorecard by stakeholders from here.
Treñas said there were two breakthroughs that pushed this city in achieving the institutionalized mark, the revenue generation and public-private partnership (PPP).
He said that efforts of city offices that were involved in finance paid off because from a mere budget of P400 million when he started in 2001, the city now has a budget of P1.2 billion.
Meantime, the city government acknowledged the participation of the private sector in various programs of the city, such as solid waste management, heritage conservation and festivals.
“Almost every aspect of governance in the city has a private participation which cannot be found in other cities. I think we have to be proud Iloilo City,” he said.
“This gives a mark of distinction for us city officials because these breakthroughs were made due to collective efforts. This award is not for me but for the whole city,” he added. “In so far as city resents are concerned this will show that governance is a shared responsibility,” he said.
Treñas hoped that the award would make the city more attractive to investors because the participation of the private sector was always welcome.
Because of the distinction, Iloilo City will represent the Philippines in the Hall of Fame Award, where only 10 among cities in Asia will be chosen by the ISA.
The awarding is slated in October in Korea. (PNA)