Manila summit highlights Mayors for Good Governance's 3rd anniversary
MANILA, Philippines — The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) convened its 3rd Anniversary Good Governance Summit and General Assembly at the Diamond Hotel Manila last August 22.
The event brought together its convenors, members, partners, and invited resource persons for a full-day gathering on leadership, public service, and the continuing work of strengthening good governance at the local level.
Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental) and Rep. Agatha Paula Cruz (5th District, Bulacan) served as co-hosts of the program.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to stand with M4GG on its third anniversary. This is a room full of leaders who chose the harder, more accountable way to lead, and that work deserves every bit of support we can give it. Good governance is not an aspiration. It is a standard, and these mayors are proving it is possible," Benitez said.
Founded in August 2023, M4GG is a non-profit movement of over 100 reform-minded local chief executives committed to fighting corruption and advancing transparent, accountable, and people-centered governance through strong and empowered local governments.
The movement has drawn mayors from across political parties, regions and ideologies around a shared commitment to integrity.
Its advocacies have taken concrete form over the past year.
M4GG launched Report Infra, a channel for citizens and stakeholders to flag suspected ghost, overpriced, or substandard infrastructure projects.
The group has pushed for greater public access to national budget information, backed the increase of the Local Government Support Fund to P57 billion, and met with the Department of Social Welfare and Development on more effective local implementation of social welfare programs.
Earlier this year, it ran the LEAP Open Government Fellowship Program, a capacity-building track for first-term mayors focused on integrity, innovation, transparency, participatory governance, and data-driven leadership.
The summit opened with remarks from Daniela Braun of KAS Philippines and a welcome from M4GG President and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
Romblon Gov. Trina Firmalo-Fabic delivered the first talk on breaking barriers in public service, followed by a panel with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Mayor Law Fortun, and Mayor Bruce Matabalao.
A second panel on translating good governance into practice featured M4GG Chairperson and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, Mayor Belmonte, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Hataman, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
The gathering culminated in a report from the M4GG National Secretariat and a Commitment Ceremony, where member mayors renewed their pledge to put people's welfare first, manage public resources responsibly, promote citizen participation, uphold the rule of law, and lead with integrity and transparency. (Contributed story)
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