(An article published by tribune.net.ph)
Far Eastern University Public Policy Center (FEUPPC) and Harvard University’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance discussed innovative city governance aligned with COVID-19 at the “Urban-novation” webinar on 8 December.
The collaboration between the two universities aims to promote problem-driven policymaking among cities in the Philippines, according to FEU president Dr. Michael Alba.
FEU Institute of Technology Innovation Center executive director Rolan Garcia explained that the webinar will kickstart the partnership of the academe and the government in providing technologically driven governance.
Harvard professor Jorrit de Jong said that genuine innovations in city governance will transpire only if boundaries are dissolved.
In the Philippines, for instance, there is a mentality that once a program is executed in a certain city, other cities cannot “copy” it.
This should not be the case, said De Jong, because governance in any kind of city should address problems effectively by including the public and private sectors.
He highlighted three important capabilities for a reimagined governance: collaborative, data-analytic and reflective.
Being collaborative means acknowledging insights from other departments to have a holistic understanding of the problems that need solutions.
In data analysis, said De Jong, “there’s no problem that data will solve. People will solve problems.”
Thus, a government must be reflective to know which actions should be prioritized.
Leaders’ insights
Joining De Jong were city leaders Hon. Arlene Bag-ao, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Dr. Eddie Dorotan and Rolan Garcia who served as reactors.
Hon. Bag-ao said: “For democracy to work, the poorest of the people must be given seats at the table.”
Magsaysay-Ho suggested longer terms for mayors to provide optimal service to the city.
In the end, Dr. Doroton highlighted the importance of collaboration from citizens to leaders.
He said, “Even without data, citizens and leaders know the problem, so collaboration is a must.”