Ombion: Sharper focus in governance

THIS is the challenge given by my former boss Austere Panadero, retired Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary for Local Governance and now executive vice president of Zuellig Foundation to all local government units (LGUs), especially local chief executives (LCEs) in view of the continuing onslaughts of Covid-19 pandemic, worsening economic crisis and the disruptions of the forthcoming 2022 synchronized national and local elections.

I fully agree with former Usec. Panadero that the LCEs must face up to the core challenge of the times, that is, easing the burden of pandemic on the people by providing all the necessary medical services, safety protection and economic relief, and most importantly, in keeping abreast with the guidelines and instructions set by DILG and National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF).

He noted that it is easy for some LGUs to get swayed away from the pandemic and regular governance functions, including preparation for the greater challenge of full devolution process, come 2022, if they allowed themselves to get excited with other pressing concerns like the forthcoming elections.

If I may add, some LGUs in the province alone have already been reported busy jockeying and negotiating for their preferred positions in 2022, and flocking to a known political kingmaker, gambling mogul and empire king who intends to establish a dynasty in the city of Bacolod.

These LGU officials may be administratively liable if they are found focusing on other concerns and using their position of authority and influence to advance vested interests, either theirs or of certain political patrons.

This is exactly what former Usec. Panadero stressed in his challenge for more focus on the part of LGUs because governance is not a matter of attending to routinary function mechanically, but confronting changing conditions in local government using the best principles and tools of governance provided by Local Government Code and other relevant codal systems.

Former Usec Panadero conveyed his appreciation to a number of LGUs in the Visayas and Luzon who have demonstrated their dedication and focus on the pandemic as the pivotal concern that affects all their other functions and tasks.

He particularly lauded the focus and tremendous initiatives of Bacolod City leadership headed by Mayor Bing Leonardia and Vice Mayor Elcid Familiaran in all three important aspects of anti-Covid campaign - the strict enforcement of minimum health protocols, sustained vaccination program, and local economy recovery to minimize the crippling impact of the crisis on citizens' livelihood and sustain the revenue generation of the city government for its governance needs.

I would likewise commend Mayor Leonardia, his leadership team, and his councilors and frontline personnel, and the LCEs of some LGUs for their governance dedication and skillful direction and management of their local officials and units in ensuring that the people get what they deserve in this time of complex crisis.

Still, I would like to challenge them to exert more efforts and focus especially in preparing the devolution transition plan, which includes among others, the completion of two pillar plans of every LGU as defined by LGC and enforced by DILG, the Comprehensive Land Use Development Plan, and the Comprehensive cross-sectoral Development Plan.

These two plans provide for the best conditions for the road mapping of other sectoral and thematic plans, and no less the Local Development Investment Plan and Annual Investment Plan mandated of every LGU.

And in this time of worsening crisis, and God knows what happens next quarter, next year, LGUs have to give utmost focus on safeguarding and strengthening their public service utilities like water, power, and housing.

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