FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016
Bridging leaders for health lauded at GLI colloquium
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Four local chief executives and seven municipal health officers from the different local government units in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) were recognized at the fourth colloquium and awarding ceremony of Xavier University’s Governance and Leadership Institute (GLI) on June 10 in Cagayan de Oro City.
“Gone are the days when LGUs say ‘we can do it on our own,’” said CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno in his message to local health leaders. “Today’s governance highlights partnership and collaboration.” The local chief executives who were recognized as Bridging Leaders for Health were Mayor Lorenzo Mañigos of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte; Mayor Fatima Tomawis of Tangcal, Lanao del Norte; Mayor Omaradji Pizarro of Kalilangan, Bukidnon; and Mayor Farhana Palawan of Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte. The activity formed part of GLI’s Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP), in partnership with the Department of Health Regional Office 10, Zuellig Family Foundation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). “It is a mistake to assume that health divide and other societal divides can be addressed by the government alone,” Moreno continued. “We need consortium and partnerships which can be done through the Bridging Leadership process.” Moreno, a bridging leader graduate himself under the Mindanao Bridging Leaders Program of the Asian Institute of Management, served at the guest speaker at the MLGP awarding ceremony. “Better health contributes to better liveability that leads to competitiveness.” MLGP is a one-year, two-module program aimed at improving health outcomes through an empowering
leadership and governance, enhanced local health systems, active community participation, and effective service delivery at the local level. The said program is also geared toward creating an immediate impact on achieving related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as the reduction of infant mortality rate (IMR) and improving maternal health in 609 identified priority municipalities nationwide that need to improve their local health systems. Following the Bridging Leadership Framework (BLF), the mayors and municipal health officers went through a series of intensive discussions and workshops highlighting the health inequities in their respective localities. DOH-10 Regional Director Dr Nimfa Torrizo, in her message, challenged the local leaders to sustain the gains they have achieved during the program and assured the regional support, particularly during the forthcoming Duterte administration. Considering that a certain health inequity is a systemic problem, the training emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholders’ co-ownership approach in addressing it. Thus, the bridging leader, together with the stakeholders, would lead the crafting of innovative solutions to health problems in their community. “We are very happy to hear the stories of our local leaders, stories of transformation as Bridging Leaders, the lessons and insights behind the improved health scorecard,” said Engr
Gail de la Rita, assistant to Xavier’s vice-president for social development, who gave the parting message to the program graduates. “Xavier University will continue to be a significant and committed partner not only for health but for social development,” she added.
GLI, through MLGP, has already produced 39 local chief executives as Bridging Leaders who are transforming their health scorecards into better health outcomes in their respective communities. (Wilson Hormeguera/ XU Comm)
DILG to prepare newly-elected officials CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be conducting a two-day basic orientation seminar for the new set of officials to ensure the smooth transition from the outgoing and incoming officials. DILG is set to hold the Newlyelected Officials Program or NEO Program on June 28 to 29 in Manila. Hazel Occeña, DILG division chief, said during ‘Lambo Dyes’ radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) over DXIM Radyo Ng Bayan, said that this program will help the new set of officials on their duties, functions, issues, challenges and solutions in governance together with selected government agencies. This will guide them, most specially the new politicians, to have a background on their responsibility as government officials. “Mag imbitar kami og mga banggiitan na gyud nga mga local elected officials para maka share sila sa ilang experience sa ilang pagdumala sa ilang lokal nga pagamhanan (We will invite local elected officials for
them to share their experiences on how they manage their local offices),” said Occeña. DILG’s program also ensures that after enhancing the performance of the local governments units (LGUs), they will also measure their capacities through the Seal of Good Local Governance and Balanced Score Card. Both of which are assessment to test the performance of the LGUs. Occeña said that if these LGUs are able to meet the policies of the national government and the requirements for their LGU, they will be given incentives. “Sa mga nilabay nga matag tuig, mga milyones kini among ga i-hatag adtong mga LGUs nga nakapasar o nakadawat aning gitawag nato nga seal of good local governance (For the past years, we have given
millions to LGUs who have passed the requirements for the seal of good local governance),” said Occeña. The DILG is requesting the officials to participate in the NEO
program to have a smooth turn-over of the outgoing and incoming officials and that they will be ready for their approaching term. (Hazel Mae T. Pacturan/PIA10)
University in CDO among finalists in GUPES Green Gown Awards CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan has been recognized as one of the finalists for this year’s Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) Green Gown Awards. XU is one of the four finalists in Asia and the Pacific in the Community Engagement category, along with Aklan State University (Philippines), De La Salle University (Philippines), and Fiji National University (Fiji). Established in 2004, the GUPES Green Gown Awards is a joint initiative supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), that expands the Green Gown Awards further across the globe with an emphasis on profiling and learning from the Southern Hemisphere. “All around the world universities are beacons of hope for a more sustainable future,” said EAUC chief executive officer Iain Patton in a statement. “The GUPES Green Gown Awards recognize and celebrate the powerful contribution of university staff and students and most importantly let us learn and benefit from their excellence.”
Open to GUPES members across six regions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and West Asia), a network of over 800 universities and colleges, the prestigious award-giving body lauds exceptional environmental sustainability initiatives and best practices. The GUPES Green Gown Awardee from each of the regions will automatically enter in the International Green Gown Awards contest. The categories include Community Engagement for Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean; Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change for Africa and West Asia; and Student Engagement for Europe and North America. The winners will be announced at the GUPES Green Gown Awarding Ceremony on September 13 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA. (XU Comm)