ISA calls upon individuals for good governance through Public Governance Forum

On the 27th of June 2019, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) held their Public Governance Forum (PGF) at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound at Pasig City. The event aimed to bring together members from different sectors of society under the same goal of working towards development in the country. Over 200 delegates gathered at the venue to interact with their like-minded peers who share their advocacy of a “Dream Philippines.”

The PGF welcomed Dr. Robert Klitgaard as its keynote speaker where he addressed the role of good governance to prevent the phenomenon of “democratic backsliding,” wherein a community is able to reach a point of development but is unfortunately unable to sustain such growth. Dr. Klitgaard, a Claremont Graduate University Professor praised as “the world’s leading expert on corruption,” is no stranger to the Philippines as he served as a panelist that judged our country’s first “Islands of Good Governance” last 2015 alongside other local and international good governance and anti-corruption experts.

The keynote speech was followed by a discussion led by Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), that revolved around the Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration. The framework aims to ensure that the relationship between healthcare professionals, the pharmaceutical center, their patients, and the organizations involved, is based off responsible and ethical decision making. Along with
other signatories of the Consensus Framework in the country, PHAP aims to institutionalize the presence of integrity and ethics practices to deliver the best care for their patients.

The highlights of the PGF also included the public revalidas of the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), Rizal Medical Center (RMC), Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Center (JBLMRC) and Batangas Medical Center (BatMC) wherein they reported on what they have achieved so far in accordance to their hospitals’ roadmaps and good governance initiatives. The progress of these hospitals was analyzed and rated by a group of panelists based on the breakthrough results they were able to achieve. At the award ceremony, ITRMC and BRTTH were both recognized as “Silver Trailblazer Awardees” for their efforts while RMC, R1MC, and
BatMC were given the title of “Gold Trailblazer Awardees” for the work that they had
accomplished.

The June PGF also oversaw the launch of the latest book by Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, “The Filipino’s Guide to Personal Governance,” which focuses on the role of personal governance and how it can be utilized to reach one’s goals for themselves. Several members of ISA, who contributed to Dr. Estanislao’s latest book, shared their experiences with making use of a personal scorecard to track their progress and creating a “roadmap” for their own growth to the audience to highlight what the benefits of good personal governance.

At the end of the PGF, ISA welcomed Dr. Glory V. Baltazar from the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and Dr. Maria Linda G. Buhat from the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP) into the Society of Fellows, and Atty. Paolo Raynor E. Salvosa from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) as a new member of the Society of Associates. These individuals were praised and congratulated for their support and practice of the PGS as well as for the steps they have taken in the journey towards our Dream Philippines.

The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) is a non-stock, non-profit governance reform organization with the vision of a “Dream Philippines” where every government institution delivers, and the people participate and prosper. It works with various institutions to create strategies that deliver breakthrough results in service of the Filipino people.

For more details about Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao’s latest book, “The Filipino’s Guide to Personal Governance,” and orders, contact Jyska Kuan Ken at jkuanken@isacenter.org and (+632) 886-3652 local 106, F local 110

To learn more about and support the advocacy of ISA, visit http://isacenter.org and social media accounts @isacenterph. (30)