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 The Governance Cluster of the University Social Involvement Council (USIC) conducted for the first time the Building Communities towards Clean and Transparent Governance Training on October 16, 2009 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall of Calabanga, Camarines Sur. The program forms part of the Ateneo de Naga University’s voters’ education efforts in preparation for the 2010 polls.
Some thirty local officials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders and students attended the training. Most of them came from Barangays Punta Tarawal, Balatasan, Balongay and Dominorog.
The training design was crafted by Governance Cluster member and training facilitator Rodolfo SB. Virtus Jr. It is grounded on the Ignatian way of proceeding: reflection-action-reflection as theoretical framework, and inspired by the Ehem! anti-corruption program of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus.
 The program started with Session 1: Awareness. Here, the participants’ perceptions on corruption were levelled-off and processed. The definition of corruption was further clarified, stressing that it is not only a problem of the government but also of the private sector. The cost of corruption was further underscored, which invoked anger and frustration from the participants.
In Session 2: Understanding, the participants were brought to a higher level of analysis by discussing the causes and consequences of corruption. During the group sharing, the participants identified classic cases of corruption, discussed the involved actors’ roles and their reasons, and explored the web-like consequences of corruption.
Session 3: Reflection brought the participants into a serious analysis of personal and communal culture – habits, values, norms and institutions – which reinforce and perpetuate corrupt practices in all sectors of the society. After individual reflection and group sharing, a ceremonial personal and communal pledge concluded the session.
With this affirmation, the participants formulated a Pro-Clean and Transparent Governance Plan in Session 4: Action. Three programs were identified, namely: voters’ education for first time voters and other groups; leadership training for SK, school and out-of-school youth; and computer literacy program to raise the people’s socio-political consciousness and empower them to use technology in combating corruption.
 Virtus was assisted by fellow MPA student Celeste C. Dizon. They were joined in by CLG staff Herold E. Pelonio and student assistant Dennis M. Labrador.
When asked by USIC to contribute to the University’s efforts for the 2010 elections, the cluster headed by Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, CLG director, decided in May to adopt anti-corruption as the theme of voters’ education in partner communities. Though it is not the usual voters’ education being given, the cluster realized the need and relevance of an anti-corruption training as it could be run whether before or after elections.
This November, the cluster has scheduled to run the training in three more partner municipalities, namely Buhi, Cabusao and Sagñay. |
