Last October 20, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) welcomed the city of Borongan together with 56 new local jurisdictions composed of 64 local governments and civil society organizations all over the world to its OGP Local Program, a global partnership of local governments and civil society organizations whose aim is to ensure that citizens actively take part in all levels of decision-making in the government and advocate the creation of a unique partnership that promotes accountable, responsive and inclusive governance.
Initially, the Local Program has 20 local governments in its roster that boasts cities like Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Ontario, Canada; Seoul, South Korea; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Scotland, United Kingdom and Sau Paolo, Brazil to name a few.
The 20 jurisdictions in the OGP Local Program have been at the forefront of innovation in meeting the challenges of the future. Following their success, the OGP agreed to expand the cohort. The expansion brought in Borongan city together with 64 local governments to this exclusive group who were selected out of a pool of 112 applicants.
The OGP Local initiative puts premium on open government values such as transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and inclusion. The program sees local governments’ close proximity to its constituents as a vital cog in the delivery of public services that have sizeable impact on people’s daily lives.
Borongan city has effectively demonstrated this commitment to open government values. Year 2020 saw the city reap the fruits of a transparent and accountable governance as it earned the Seal of Good Financial House Keeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The administration of Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda likewise paved the way for the institutionalization of his key government programs like the Free Medicine and Dukwag Agrikultura ordinances that are responsive to the needs of the people.
The COVID-19 response of the city of Borongan is another noteworthy endeavor. While neighboring cities and towns are struggling and some in deep water dealing with the COVID-19 virus, the city through Mayor Agda’s strong leadership has effectively staved off the spread of the virus through fast, effective and innovative measures.
Borongan’s inclusion in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local Program only validates the uncompromising commitment of the current administration to more accessible, more responsive, and more accountable government to its people. Down the road, its engagement in the program will only galvanize and create an ironclad relationship between the people and government that will yield long-term, exponential benefits for everyone.
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