Governance – Role of Civil Society

This paper has been provided as part of global challenges, opinion and observation in the country and the role of civil society towards governance for sustainable ways and building capacity with a political will as well as the quality of good governance.

Thoughts on the Governance

Literally, the governance in the Philippines can be defined based on Yu Keping (2018) article, and I quoted as, “the exercising authority in maintaining order and meeting the needs of the public within a certain range.” In within the communal place on both urban and rural areas, however, according to him, “the purpose of governance is to guide, steer and regulate citizen’s activities through the power of different systems and relations so as to maximize the public interest.” But digging further as far as the political science is concerned, the governance refers and I quoted too as, “the process of political administration that includes the normative foundation of political authority, approaches to dealing with political affairs and the management of public sources, whereas focusing on the role of political authority in maintaining social order and the exercise of administrative power in a defined sphere.”

As a citizen, following the rule of law within the country’s governance will be an obligation that has to be obeyed with all our heart and this will give more environmental benefits while living in the place we live in through mandated governmental protection. However, the perspective on the public administration process in the country is being exercised through with the legitimacy, transparency, accountability, rule of law, responsiveness, and effectiveness.

Type of Government in the Philippines

The Philippine body of government is composed of various public institutions which have been institutionalized for the community throughout the country. However, the type of government as I have observed for the past 33-years from Cory Aquino to Noynoy Aquino can be said based on Yu Keping (2018) article and I quoted as, “the blurring of boundaries and responsibilities for tackling social and economic issues,” whereas the state had transferred most of their sole responsibilities to the civil societies. With this kind of governance within the government had resulted in graft and corruptions practices throughout agencies in the country. Additionally, all government-owned establishments that supposed to be for the people’s as subsidies, unfortunately, was sold or was given to their friends for their owned benefits instead of ruling it for the Filipino people. Thus, the effect of governance between the state and the society and between the public and private sectors became blurred and has no directions within the government towards responsibilities.

Photo-1 above is one of the examples as self-explanatory within the 33-years of governance what happened in the country.

Moreover, with the ruling under the late strongman, President Marcos was different as I have mentioned above concerning the type of government, whereas he made the country as one of the GREAT Country throughout ASIA that time. And for his being a nation builder, which he had set more institutions as an actor, and the power to exercise as a center within the specific level for the benefits of his countrymen as well as his political will in ensuring the implementing policies cleared and transparent.

Likewise, what is happening in the present administration under the governance of President Duterte that I may say a shadow of President Marcos type of government, with a political will in exercising the legitimacy, transparency, accountability, rule of law, responsiveness, and effectiveness throughout the country. One of the examples of simple governance and policy with political will can be found in this link;

Politics Affecting Policy Making and Governance – Role of Civil Society

It is indeed, that I may quote, “governance is the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs, and continuing process conflicting or diverse interests that can be accommodated and cooperative action that includes formal institutions, Yu Keping (2018).” However, that may be happening only if the type of governance has a political will, e.g. based from Pres. Marcos and Pres Duterte, which they have had an active and productive cooperation between the State and the role of the civil society or the citizens of the country as we have to experience in the present government with President. Duterte). Thus, I may conclude that most of the foundations affecting the policymaking can be achieved in any type of governance through following the rule of law, free and democratic political system in the country.

Notwithstanding, I agree with Lowi (2003) article and I quoted as, "Policy is the informal side of government, the real statement of what government actually does. But policy should be tolerated, not embraced, and even so, tolerated only as long as it knows its place: as the servant of the formal rule of law." And hence, will be the guiding rules affecting good governance upon implementation provided with political will with legitimacy, transparency, accountability, rule of law, responsiveness, and effectiveness.

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I am hoping I can share and give you some points for the truth; again, I am not those persistent guys but a learner to provide you with advice, as well as part of the discussion forum to share. Of all the above, it is the AUTHOR intent and wishing for a successful career of positive aspect for individual future endeavors.

Gomeseria, R. V. (2019, September 20). Governance – Role of Civil Society. Retrieved from osf.io/r6sak

References

Lowi, Theodore J. 2003. Law vs. Public Policy: A Critical Exploration. Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy. Volume 12 Issue 3, Article 2. 11pp.

Yu Keping. 2018. Governance and Good Governance: A New Framework for Political Analysis. Fudan J. Hum. Soc. Sci. (2018) 11:1-8

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