UNDP pushes for good governance

An official of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) called on all sectors over the weekend to unite and help President Arroyo pursue their common goal of good governance.

This developed as leaders of various religious groups in Davao City also signified their full support for Mrs. Arroyo in initiating a just and moral governance in her first 100 days in office.

Emmanuel Buendia, UNDP manager on enabling environment for good government, said all political groups, the private sector and all civic organizations should get together and work toward sustaining good governance.

Buendia said the UNDP is promoting its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) aimed at helping the Philippines and other countries to collaborate and work for human development through research, outreach and advocacy efforts.

Buendia said the projects are set to be completed in 2010, when Mrs. Arroyo finishes her term of office.

Buendia clarified the MDG projects helping the Arroyo government should be regarded as a collective project of all concerned sectors.

"These are not government projects," Buendia said. "These are the concerns of every Filipino. I believe with a strong political will, we would be able to achieve this."

Buendia said the MDG have identified 10 thematic areas in the Philippine government to include instituting political and electoral reforms.

He said the public should no longer be transfixed on the results of the last May 10 elections but help sustain the concerns of good governance.

Buendia said the fight against corruption in government is an important advocacy being pushed by the UNDP.

He said the UNDP initiative strives to transform the Philippine government bureaucracy by promoting the practice of ethical standards, transparency, accountability and integrity in public service.

Buendia also spelled out the eight other thematic areas identified by the MDG, namely providing easier access to justice, scaling the gains in local government, recognize human rights and gender equality, reforms in the media, reforms in public administration, working for sustainable environment, anti-poverty programs and espousing peace and development.

Buendia suggested that the Arroyo administration should "rationalize the bureaucracy."

"If you want to be more efficient and effective in delivering the goods by 2010, then the (government) machinery (should) be efficient and effective," he said.

Buendia noted some government agencies have excess personnel. "It is really making sure that the people (are) for the right job," he said.

He said the government should take the initiative to get rid of duplication of functions and remove idle time of its personnel.

On the other hand, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, head of the Davao City-based Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name congregation, said there was an overwhelming response among the religious leaders to pitch in their share in values formation in the government and society. — With Edith Regalado