Movement for good gov't launched

MANILA, Philippines – A group of local officials has teamed up with civic and youth organizations for the establishment of a national movement for good governance and people empowerment.

Harvey Keh, director of the Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship of the Ateneo School of Government, said the Kaya Natin! Movement aims to promote “genuine and lasting change” in the government by promoting transparency, social accountability, and electoral reforms.

“We want to deliver basic services through ethical governance,” Keh said at a press conference at the Ateneo de Manila University yesterday.

Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, one of the spokespersons of the group, said they would push for reforms in the Local Government Code to strengthen local government units.

“We can expect better delivery of social services if our local governments would be more empowered,” Robredo said.

For his part, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio, also a spokesperson for the group, said readiness to fight anomalies is also good governance.

The priest-on-leave cited his efforts to stop jueteng operations in his province despite strong resistance from traditional politicians.

Panlilio said the provincial government has offered livelihood and scholarship programs to Pampangeños who used to depend on jueteng.

Keh said that in the coming months, the group will conduct campus tours in Metro Manila to encourage the Filipino youth to vote in the 2010 national elections or consider running for public office.

In August, Keh said Kaya Natin! will launch a website that would allow overseas Filipinos to know more about the goings on in their respective provinces.

“We believe that government officials should be effective and ethical servant-leaders who look not only at the outcomes of programs and projects but also at the process required for them as well as the values and motives behind them,” Keh said.

“Effective and ethical leaders are those who fight corruption and frown upon abusive practices of those in power while at the same time training future Filipino leaders to do what is right,” he said.

Other conveners of the group are Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and San Isidro Nueva Ecija Mayor Sonia Lorenzo.

When asked if the group will endorse any candidates in the 2010 elections, Robredo said, “We don’t want to divert our minds to things that will divide us.”