The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) once again teamed up with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) for the second Public Governance Forum this year. Conducted twice a year, the forum gives the public a glimpse on how far various national government agencies and local government units have come in implementing good governance reforms under the Performance Governance System (PGS) of the NCC and ISA. The PGS is a local adaptation of the Balanced Scorecard which measures performance against strategic goals and targets.

Held at the Philippine International Convention Center last October 30, the forum brought together public and private sector representatives in an initiative called “Islands of Good Governance” which aims to showcase local milestones in good governance in 2015 when the country hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

A total of 12 government institutions committed to participate in the Islands of Good Governance initiative. These were the Department of Public Works and Highways, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, Civil Service Commission, Department of Health, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine National Police, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Electrification Administration, and Bureau of Internal Revenue. During the forum, these institutions publicly announced their breakthrough results or stretch targets which they intend to realize by 2015. Some examples were 100% pavement of national arterial roads, ISO certification of offices, and increased revenue collection.

Eight institutions also underwent evaluation by a multi-sector panel composed of private sector and non-government representatives. These were the Civil Service Commission, PAREF Springdale School for Boys, Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines, National Development Company, Board of Investments, Department of National Defense, and the Cities of Balanga and San Fernando, La Union. The panelists served as independent directors who rated the accomplishments and plans of each institution. The Civil Service Commission and the Cities of Balanga and San Fernando advanced to Proficiency status, the third of five stages in the PGS pathway.

NCC Private Sector Co-Chair and APEC National Organizing Committee Overall Coordinator Guillermo M. Luz commended all the agencies, especially their leaders, for their commitments and challenged them to continue providing first-class services to Filipinos even after APEC 2015. Through strong collaboration by government, business, and civil society, the country can continue to move onward and upward on the global stage.