A new paradigm for governance

President Aquino said his governance will be characterized by a new paradigm. This is now evident in his work style – not wanting to have his name placed on government projects and adopting a team approach in management. We also note his careful management of limited resources such as scheduling a few foreign travels. As he wants his governance to be more transparent, we can expect structural reforms in our regulatory, judicial, and procurement systems, among others, as well as a more conducive environment for investments.

We, in the civil society sector have yearned for the time when we can see the emergence of more alternative structures. The concept of “alternative development” is not new as it has been with us for the past three decades. It was a response to failed development efforts of government and the prevailing economic system. Its description –“people-centered, participatory, moving away from primary emphasis on economic growth” is found in most of our national development plans. But the reality however is that there was limited participation of the majority since the locus of decision-making has been primarily confined to “imperial” Manila. Now, the pendulum had changed, and with this new dynamic, many have begun to come out with their “wish lists” of what they would like to see during the next six years.

I would like to add some of my own in the form of alternative programs and institutions. Some of them are already in place but they would require more sustained policy and resources support:

• Alternative political systems through structures and leadership styles that would enhance self-management in central and local government and efforts in moving towards a “mixed economy” as an alternative to free market capitalism;
• The time is ripe for constitutional amendments. Among the reforms include alternatives to the “ombudsman” and “party list system”, and balancing rights with citizen responsibility;
• Greater support to alternative learning systems which include distance and team learning systems and indigenous learning systems for our tribal and ethnic communities;
• Support, through legislation or public-private partnership of alternative communication systems such as public service broadcasting, grassroots community e-centers, traditional disaster information systems, broadband systems that would provide greater public access, and other alternatives to government or commercial media systems;
• Public-private investment in alternative or renewable energy – wind, energy, geothermal, solar, and other “green” technologies which are solutions to the goal of energy independence; and
• Government-business-civil society support for alternative governance institutions such as cooperatives or communitarian systems that would empower a majority of our population. Already a number of our cooperatives, credit, agricultural, and multi-purpose have demonstrated success as economic and social institutions.

But its growth can perhaps be more sustainable if the Cooperative Development Authority is placed under the Office of the President. A model worth replicating is the Mondragon cooperative in Spain’s Basque region, an industrial enterprise that. –DR. FLORANGEL ROSARIO BRAID, Manila Bulletin