Blazing trails in good governance, promoting inclusive development

Is there a way out of the present crisis brought on by widespread anomalies in flood control?

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Good governance in the Philippines is still possible but it requires strong leadership and public pressure.This was the view expressed by former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao in a wide-ranging recent interview with broadcaster Cathy Yang.

Dr. Estanislao has been a leading advocate of good governance. He founded the Institution of Solidarity in Asia (ISA) to focus on the transformation of national agencies and local government units by instilling values of good governance anchored on sound management theory and practice. Specifically, ISA has propagated the adoption of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC).

Crafted by the Harvard Business School, BSC is a strategic management tool that gives organizations a comprehensive view of performance by tracking financial and non-financial metrics across four key perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth. It helps align daily operations with strategic goals, track progress toward objectives, and improve decision-making beyond traditional financial measures.

He recalled that ISA was impelled by a need to infuse public servants with a forward-looking perspective instead of being demoralized by widespread graft and corruption. He cited erstwhile City Mayors Jose Enrique 'Joet' Garcia III of Bataan, and Jerry Treñas, Jesse Robredo and Mel Sarmiento, of Balanga, Iloilo, Naga, and Calbayog as the pioneer role models of this transformation.

Then the BSC was also adopted by then Secretary Rogelio 'Babes' Singson in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), an institution deeply afflicted with deeply-embedded corruption. He also cited the transformation of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the leadership of retired Army General Rey Leonardo Guerrero who was Commissioner from 2018 to mid-2022.