Iloilo town gets USAID grant, wins Galing Pook award
February 26, 2011
Manila Bulletin
BINGAWAN, Iloilo — The municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo has won the much-coveted Galing Pook award for outstanding local governance programs, making it the sole winner from the Visayas in the annual search for best local government unit (LGU) for best LGU programs evidenced by positive results and impact, transferability and sustainability, efficient service delivery and the all-important aspect of people’s participation.
Bingawan earned high marks especially in the latter criteria with its program, “Pamangkutanon sang Banwa: Kwentahan hindi Kwentohan” or Citizens’ Query: Accountability, not Lip Service.”
Through a multi-sectoral initiative, the municipality asks candidates for public office to sign an agreement that they will be subjected to a Performance Evaluation Session called Pamangkutanon sang Banwa (PsB) or Citizens’ Query once elected.
The session is held twice a year after an election. Government officials meet with the townsfolk to discuss relevant governance, clarifications and recommendations on government projects, delivery of basic services, and campaign promises, among other issues.
Questions are written on paper and gathered in drop boxes. They are given to a screening committee before being put to the panelists. Questions not undertaken are passed to a drafting and consolidation committee for action.
These meetings are attended by as much as 2,000 participants, including high-school students. The activity assures townsfolk that public concerns are addressed directly and concretely. This performance-based system of governance also ensures that Bingawan’s officials are truly beholden to the people.
Projects like the construction and rehabilitation of Small Farm Reservoirs and the establishment of day care facilities have been given priority by the municipality. Townsfolk have also asked for a health center and mobile rice mill. The LGU has built a healthy relationship with civil society organizations functioning as members of the screening, panel and other action committees.
The municipality has also recently received a R1 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) Project implemented by The Asia Foundation.
Bingawan earned high marks especially in the latter criteria with its program, “Pamangkutanon sang Banwa: Kwentahan hindi Kwentohan” or Citizens’ Query: Accountability, not Lip Service.”
Through a multi-sectoral initiative, the municipality asks candidates for public office to sign an agreement that they will be subjected to a Performance Evaluation Session called Pamangkutanon sang Banwa (PsB) or Citizens’ Query once elected.
The session is held twice a year after an election. Government officials meet with the townsfolk to discuss relevant governance, clarifications and recommendations on government projects, delivery of basic services, and campaign promises, among other issues.
Questions are written on paper and gathered in drop boxes. They are given to a screening committee before being put to the panelists. Questions not undertaken are passed to a drafting and consolidation committee for action.
These meetings are attended by as much as 2,000 participants, including high-school students. The activity assures townsfolk that public concerns are addressed directly and concretely. This performance-based system of governance also ensures that Bingawan’s officials are truly beholden to the people.
Projects like the construction and rehabilitation of Small Farm Reservoirs and the establishment of day care facilities have been given priority by the municipality. Townsfolk have also asked for a health center and mobile rice mill. The LGU has built a healthy relationship with civil society organizations functioning as members of the screening, panel and other action committees.
The municipality has also recently received a R1 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) Project implemented by The Asia Foundation.
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