By Alex Brilliantes

Hi s leadership style is the epitome of PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE, having institutionalized PEOPLE

PARTICIPATION and EMPOWERNMENT over the past decade.

He transformed the once backward City of Naga into one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the

Philippines today.Naga City garnered numerous international awards,

one is being the most livable city in the country today.

Marikina Mayor Bayani Fernando has transformed his city into what it is today, full

of energy and in the cutting edge of good local governance through a STRONG LEADERSHIP STYLE.

Described as a “ DICTATORIAL or HITLER-LIKE”, however, the results of leadership style have borne fruit. Marikina become the symbol of entrepreneurship and world-class governance.

He was appointed by PGMA as the MMDA Chairman and he made his presence felt by effectively addressing many gargantuan problems including traffic and solid waster management.

Strong, Authoritarian Open, Participative

LEADERSHIP STYLE

• GALING POOK AWARD•GAWAD PAMANA NG LAHI AWARD• HAMIS AWARD•CLEAN AND GREEN AWARD

LGLA

LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD (LGLA)

Recognizes a new breed leaders who best respond to the complex demands of local government.

Is an award that readily recognize the creativity, efficiency, dynamism and commitment of a local leader in the Philippines.

It is anchored in the concept of empowering local chiefs executives by recognizing the crucial role in local governance.

•CENTER FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNANCE (CLRG) OF THE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (NCPAG-UP)

•CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP AND DEMOCRACY (CLCD)

•LA SALLE INSTITUTE OF GOVERNANCE (LSIG) OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

•THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) THROUGH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACADEMY

•THE OFFICE OF SENATOR AQUILINO PIMENTEL JR.

•To recognize the achievements of outstanding local government leaders who have made substantial contributions in improving the quality of lives of their constituents;•To identify, document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned in leadership at the local level that will serve as foundation for research and practice;• To encourage local leaders to be innovative and creative in problem solving and community building.

Transparency- availability and accessibility of reliable, appropriate, necessary and relevant information to the general public;Accountability- imperative to make public officials answerable for government behavior and responsive to the entities from which they derive their authority;Participatory Governance- partnership with civil society. Citizens are considered as the “ agents of development” and not just the recipients of it.Rule of Law- stable and legal framework that the local chief executive fairly and impartially enforces;Organization and Management- existence of clear organizational and management objectives and processes characterized by the absence of or minimum red tape;Continuity and Stability- initiative to sustain programs and projects started by the previous administration after proper evaluation;Service Delivery- effective and responsive provision of basic services ( esp. under Sec. 17 of the Local Government Code)

One hundred twenty eight

NOMINATIONS

23 for outstanding

governor category

36 for outstanding city mayor category

69 for outstanding municipal

mayor category

53 nominations

20 nominations

19 nominations

Four governors

Five city mayors

Ten municipal

mayors

•Most Outstanding Governor – Josefina M. Dela Cruz (Bulacan)

•Most Outstanding City Mayor – Tomas R. Osmeña (Cebu City)

•Most Outstanding City Mayor – Franklin M. Quijano(Iligan City)

•Most Outstanding Municipal Mayor – Raul N. Banias(Concepcion Iloilo )

DISTINGUISHED REPRESENTATIVES FROM:

• ACADEME • GOVERNMENT AGENCIES• LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS• NON – GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS• MEDIA

As a follow-up activity, the CLRG framed out a brief questionnaire not only to the 19 LGLA awardees but also to some of the most recognize local leaders like former Marikina City Mayor and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and Naga City Mayor and also LGLA Selection Committee Member Jesse Robredo. The questionnaire focus on the question “What makes excellent local leaders ?”

•1. their most outstanding accomplishment/s as local chief executives•2. their biggest challenge as local chief executives and how they have handled such.• 3. the factors behind the success of their leadership and qualifications needed to become an effective local leader.•4. the significant role of local leaders under the increasingly devolved set-up.

It range from the most general down to the more specific concerns. Some cited the innovative and effective programs they implemented which lead to the improvement of peace and order, reduction in the number of squatters, improvement of infrastructure facilities and protection of the environment..Fulfilling the above accomplishments coud also mean “ bringing the government closer to the people”

Among the biggest challenges encountered by the respondents as local chief executives was that of transforming the people’s attitudes , whether they are local employees or the constituents in general.

Many factors cited by the local leaders but most of them pointed to their personal attitudes. This includes their strong will and determination, openness to change, readiness to learn, sincerity and patience, hard work, the desire to make the difference and the ability to empathize with poor. constituents

•Know your objectives and resources•Draw a plan to the last bolt and up to the last worker•Sell your plan. Let everyone know his/her job and everyone’s job.•Deploy as much and proper tools for the job (let the tool do the job)•Make sure that every worker has its orders•Give comfort to every worker•Make sure everyone is doing his/her share (follow the team code)•When things go wrong and your pressed for time, don’t do it alone (let the organization help you keep task in line. The organization is bigger than you may think•Change plan or mission if the job cannot be done. but get prior clearance from who ever gives the order•When in doubt, report•When the job is done, report, and•If you succeed, let everyone know. If you fail, let me be the first to know.

The leader respondents noted that creativity and novelty should be enhance under an increasing devolved local government set-up, that there should be pioneering, innovative and independent decision-making; and that leaders should strive for more hands-on leadership which would inspire the people and provide the “ how-to” of attaining their goals, maximizing program results and providing overall direction.