MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed support for the democracy and good governance programs of Globe Telecom for 2012. The leading telecom company recently inked a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy (PCCED) to work together in the next two years to strengthen the barangay justice system and train community leaders in monitoring the development projects of the municipality by using information and communications technology (ICT) in establishing peaceful, orderly, and progressive communities.
In a courtesy call to DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero by Globe Telecom and PCCED, Panadero said his office will endorse the partnership program to be implemented by Globe and PCCED. “Technology can pave the way for good governance initiatives such as these. Let’s also explore other ways in which we can use technology for other DILG-led projects.”
Through its corporate social responsibility arm, Globe Bridging Communities, the telecom company will bring Barangay Rule of Law Seminars (BRLS) to Northern, Central and Southern Luzon and in the Visayas which will develop barangay leaders to act as conflict mediators and uphold the barangay justice system in their respective communities. Globe will also support the training of barangay leaders and their constituents in the participatory budgeting process which PCCED will implement in the city of Gubat, Sorsogon and the roll-out of Project Citizen in Batangas to develop active citizenship among the youth and enhance their democratic skills and attitudes.
According to Rob Nazal, head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility, “Globe is committed to finding innovative solutions to practical problems and recognizes the importance of training barangay officials, representatives, and the general population to be more involved in the government policy-making. We are happy to partner with organizations like PCCED in promoting good governance, accountability and transparency in the barangay level.”
Other projects under the i-Lead program of Globe Bridging Communities which promote accountability, transparency, and participation in good governance include “Sagot ka ni Kap!,” a program which provides barangays their very own mobile emergency hotline number and outfits barangay tanods (Community Watch Volunteers) with relevant equipment and personal accident insurance.