Good governance forum held

Saturday, February 4, 2012

AIMED at raising the awareness of students on youth development, a forum on good governance was held at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, last Thursday.

Grace Padaca, former Isabela governor and now one of the key players of Kaya Natin Movement, said there's no way for the students to be exempted from the current issues.

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She urged the students to allocate at least 10 minutes of their time online reading the news about the country.

"Nakakatakot kung hindi ninyo alam kung sino ang iboboto ninyo (I fear that you do not know who you are voting for)," said Padaca while emphasizing how the youth can change the future of the country.

"Kahit basahin niyo nalang ang opinion page (You may just read the opinion page) because news found in the opinion pages are the most important, interpreted by the best minds in the country," she said.

Padaca added that students should not distrust public officials and that they should know them well before making any conclusions.

She also linked vigilance to good governance by saying there is money in the government and that it should be allocated for education.

"Mas marami pa sanang maibigay kung walang kurakot. Ang pera ng bayan ay napupunta lang sa iisang tao. (If there's no corruption, the money could have been used in more useful projects. The money has went to few people for personal use)," Padaca said.

When asked about the major problems she encountered when she was still governor of Isabela, she said many among the councilors, including mayors in her province, did not pay respect to her, since the whole province was previously dominated by foes who happened to be members of a political dynasty.

"What I did was, every time they came to me, I did not relive what happened in the past," she said, adding Padaca still welcomed her foes' allies and gave them what they wanted for the betterment of her province. (Antonio L. Colina)