Focus on outcomes, says VP Leni at launch of book on LGUs’ best practices

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday underscored the effectivity of good governance at the launch of a booklet compiling the "best" programs of some local government units.

The 72-page booklet, titled Kinaya Natin: A booklet in Best Practices Involving LGUs, aims to impart best practices of local government units across the country.

"We saw with our own two eyes how many local government have or are implementing a lot of very good projects. But the mindset is more on reform rather than the outcomes," Robredo said in her speech.

"That is one thing that we are trying to change... for local government units to measure the effectivity or the success in terms of outcome."

Vice President Leni Robredo poses with Kaya Natin executive director Amelia Hernandez and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines country director Wolfgang Heinze at the "Kinaya Natin" book launch in Quezon City on August 1, 2017. Photo: Anna Felicia Bajo

Robredo cited the increasing number of malnutrition cases in the country despite the programs being implemented by the government.

"If you look at the landscape, there are existing feeding programs but the concentration is on the form of feeding program, not the outcomes. It is something that we want to change," she said.

According to Robredo, the booklet was published to narrate the success of various projects and to inspire other government leaders to adapt the effective ones.

"We want to introduce these programs to many local government officials for them to get an inspiration. This is the purpose of this book," Robredo said.

"It is always a... it will give you a deep sense of fulfillment if your programs get copied by other local government units. And not just copied but improved on it. There are so many opportunities for innovating," she added.

The booklet is the product of extensive research across the country by non-government organization Kaya Natin and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, a German liberal politics organization.

Angono's solid waste management success

One of the 25 projects featured in the booklet is the solid waste management program of Angono, Rizal.

"Meron kaming tinatawag na ecowaste park as a processing and holding center ng basura. Imbes na sa kalye, sinasamsam natin 'yun. Doon dinadala at pino-process bago dalhin sa landfill," Angono Mayor Gerardo Calderon told GMA News Online.

"Hindi nakakalat sa open field. Naka-enclose siya, parang typical na bodega na naka-enclose mga basura mo, habang sine-segregate, habang pino-process," he added.

Calderon said he is elated that their project was included in the booklet, and urged other municipalities to have "direction and goal" in their projects.

"Kinakailangan ang management mo hands-on, diretso ka doon sa programa. Huwag mo ipagkatiwala lahat sa mga hepe mo," he said.

"Pangalawa, 'di lahat infrastructure. 'Di pwedeng lahat buildings. Preserve our remaining cultural heritage, preserve, balance the remaining greens," Calderon added. — BM, GMA News