The City of Dumaguete has been recognized as one of six local government units which are models of good governance throughout the country.
Dumaguete was cited for engaging the public in ensuring the right quality and quantity of drugs provided to the citizens at the barangay level.
The recognition was given by the Ateneo School of Government’s Government Watch (G-Watch). This is a Social Accountability Model, wherein both the citizens and government officials watch or monitor government processes.
The G-Watch was conceived by the Ateneo School of Government in 2000 as a response to the massive reports of public corruption and inefficiency.
The awarding ceremonies were held at the Ateneo School of Government last April 26, where recognitions were also awarded to the following local government units:
– Naga City — for engaging the public in monitoring the efficiency of education services like textbooks, school furnitures, school buildings, teachers’ provisions and students’ welfare programs;
– Puerto Princesa City — for engaging the public in monitoring their community-based sustainable tourism by ensuring the balance between economic development and environmental protection;
– Samal City — for engaging the public in monitoring of the revenue-generating Environmental User’s Fee;
– San Miguel, Bohol — for engaging the public in monitoring the LGU’s rice production program; and
– Southern Leyte — for engaging the public in monitoring various infrastructure projects in the province, ensuring the standards of health facilities, roads, bridges and others.
Funding for the G-Watch program is provided by the European Commission of the Philippines through the Department of Interior and Local Government.
