“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” – Albert Einstein
What defies the odds is a phenomenon. In the midst of a chaotic social and political environment, whether created deliberately or by natural circumstances, the antidote is a selfless commitment and impactful quality service that benefits the majority, especially the underprivileged.
In a seemingly stunted and malfunctioning national governance a respite is the momentum of honest and transparent local governance. Cleaning our own backyard is the first order of the day.
Bacolod is a highly urbanized city, its urban complexity is entangled with opportunities accented by a momentum of committed service and transparent leadership emerges as a beacon of a looming transformative governance. It rewrites history, birthing bundles of opportunity as we witness a redefining period of renewed and pragmatic management, integrated with innovation.
The sprouting infrastructures might be on a gradual pace but do not stagnate and reflects a balanced environment of economic prosperity. To date, it comes with adequate and timely provision of basic services for Bacolodnons, largely the marginalized.
GOVERNANCE BEYOND POLITICS
Data-driven services in a local government is important and a necessity with a citizen-first approach emphasizing that despite rapid and inevitable infrastructural development the essential and basic services and programs must be the heart of good governance that must not be sacrificed. Innovation plays a crucial role.
While the city pursues a citizen-first approach to governance, digitalizing major basic services potentially and significantly reduces red tape, indicating an improved level of transparency and a strengthened local autonomy. This is indicative of a governance that aligns with the Local Government Code’s mandate for an accountable local government which is swift and responsive.
Many observed that such momentum has achieved major breakthroughs such as disaster response while inclusive and participatory institutionalization of programs and services is being undertaken. This thrust consciously recognizes the role of the marginalized sectors from conceptualization, planning and implementation by way of revitalizing local development bodies. This gives the sectors a level playing field while gaining confidence as major stakeholders in good local governance.
Moreover, the current leadership embraces a long-term and strategic sustainability principle for timely and responsive basic service delivery. At the heart of it is the urgency of the climate crisis are immediate responses to floods and fire breakouts among local communities.
Strategically, these are aimed to be sustainable integrated within the city’s programs and services for one major purpose – environmental protection and climate challenges’ resiliency that is the biggest challenge, thus far.
The tapping of like-minded groups and individuals is one major pursuit of the city’s leadership, recognizing the need to play a crucial role for green infrastructure programs to be integrated in the urban planning such as improvement of parks, renewable energy-run structures. Major targets are the academe, civil society groups and NGOs.
Equally important is the pursuit of an improved health service delivery through BacCHP now enhanced that is aimed at expanding coverage. In recognition of the role of the youth, the continuous scholarship program remains a major trademark of the city as a driver for a strategic socio-economic upliftment and stability especially the families of underprivileged but deserving students. The partnership and assistance to market vendors, women and senior citizens’ organizations is being strengthened through livelihood projects with capacity building activities actively unfolding.
SERVICE
We now glean a transparent and inclusive leadership tacked with humility. With certainty, it is not expected to be smooth sailing but rather bumpy and thorny riddled with criticisms, bashed by linear political perspectives and hated by minions of enemies. But with focus and commitment with support and participation of the stakeholders especially the marginalized then, it can turn the tide.
Should there be any recognition and accolades they are deemed bonuses. Beyond awards, accolades of a local governance of transparency and efficiency may transform lives of the marginalized Bacolodnons. By then, it may not be only a breakthrough and mere momentum but a steady pace of sustainable and efficient local governance where basic services are delivered while the demands for fast paced digitally driven economy are kept up with.*
