CPI The Lebanese Center for Public Information
PARTICIPATIVE
GOVERNANCE
PARTICIPATIVE GOVERNANCE
    NAGA CITY is not centrally located at 377 kilometers, south of Manila (national capital), 380 kilometers,
    north of Cebu (2nd biggest urban center)

     The core of Metro Naga, a fast-growing area comprised of 14 municipalities and Naga City belonging to Metro
    Naga Development Council (MNDC)

     A medium-sized city of 170,000+ population (2010 est.), 48.9% Male; 51.1% Female.

     Daytime population of around 300,000 and 400,000


    THE NAGA GOVERNANCE MODEL

     A guiding framework: Guided by experience, Naga City evolved its own model anchored on strong
    institutions. It enabled us to experiment with governance innovations, built around partnerships and
    participation and affirmed by both national and international entities.

15. Naga City, in the Philippines

PROGRAM
of the  Mayor of Naga City
to introduce participative governance

  1. Governance framework
  2. Realising the Vision
  3. Securing buy-in of the bureaucracy
  4. Engaging civil society
  5. Empowering the citizenry

    1- VISION STATEMENT of Jesse M. Robredo, Secretary,
    Department of the Interior and Local Government, and former City
    Mayor, Naga City, Philippines
    "By 2015, Naga City shall be the recognized
    model of good governance and responsible
    citizenship"

    1. Cleaner Naga

    2. Good schools

    3. Decent house to live in

    4.• City of trees

    5. Three meals a day

    6. Gainful jobs

    7 .Well-paved roads, working drainage and
    orderly streets

    8. Being able to walk streets at night unafraid

    9. Available health service every time it is
    needed

    10. Vibrant city of history, music, culture and
    arts

    11 Clean and honest government

    12 A place where one can realize ONE'S full
    potential"
       
    THE BROAD OUTLINES OF THE PARTICIPATIVE GOVERNANCE PROGRAM
    THAT WAS APPLIED IN NAGA CITY, IN THE PHILIPPINES


  1.         Progressive development perspective that seeks prosperity building tempered by an enlightened
    perspective of the poor.
  2.       Functional partnerships vehicles that enable the city to tap community resources for priority
    undertakings
  3.       Participation mechanisms that ensure long-term sustainability of local undertakings
  4.       Continuing NGO accreditation: Naga was among the first to implement the provision mandating NGO
    accreditation
  5.      Multi-level consultation mechanisms : Multiple consultation channels were set up where specific
    sectors, groups, or the entire constituency can participate in identifying and affirming developmental
    priorities
  6.        Referendum on development issues. On August 6, 1993, Naga pioneered the conduct of a citywide
    referendum when three development issues were submitted to Nagueños for decision.
    For further details go to: http://64.34.190.88/SAIDI/Text/Robredo.pdf

    A.- The Citizen’s Charter: Accountability in service delivery
    (3rd edition came out in June 2009. Online version already available at city website by 1Q ’09)

    1.        A guidebook on 140 key services being delivered by City Hall to customers
    2.         Procedure.
    3.        Response time.
    4.        Personnel responsible for each service
    5.        Requirements checklist to facilitate service delivery
    6.         Schedule of fees (if applicable)
    7.         Location maps sketching office/s handling the service “contract” that can be enforced
    through feedback.

    B.- i-Governance Program

    Txt Serve Naga, a mobile governance tool that allows citizens to send complaints, other concerns to City
    Hall through SMS or text messaging

    1.        Uses various tools to encourage participation by individual citizens and households
    2.         Concretize governance principles of transparency and accountability

    C.- Delivery Mechanisms

    1.         Analog or paper-based tools. Addresses need of around 67% of population without ICT access
    •        Performance Pledges
    •        Citizens Board
    •        Naga City Citizens Charter

    2.         Digital or ICT media (e-Governance)
    naga.gov initiative, through the city’s website: www.naga.gov.ph

    3.        Mobile Governance. Cell phones which have higher penetration rate than dial-up internet.
    Around 67% of households own a mobile § Txt Naga


    4.        Network access improvement. Addresses digital divide through strategic IT investments and
    cyber-schools

    5.        City website
    •        Maximizes web technology
    •        Within reach of local resources and capability in a developing country
    •        Offers access to information on Naga, including city government financial reports
    •        proposed and approved annual operating budget
    •        quarterly financial statements
    •        bid tenders, and bidding outcomes
    •         Platform for communicating requests and complaints in cost-effective and efficient
    manner
    •        Contains a digital version of the Charter (called NetServe) and the Citizens Board

    D.        Participatory mechanisms

    1.        Continuing NGO accreditation.  Naga was among the first to implement the provision mandating
    NGO accreditation
    3.        Multi-level consultation mechanisms
    4.        Multiple consultation channels were set up. Specific sectors, groups, or the entire
    constituency can participate in identifying and affirming developmental priorities
    5.        Referendum on development issues. On August 6, 1993, Naga pioneered the conduct of a
    citywide referendum when three development issues were submitted to Nagueños for decision
    6.        The Empowerment Ordinance and the Naga City People’s Council

    Results and Outcomes of the Participative governance program implemented in
    Naga City
    (for fuller details visit: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan015694.pdf)
    Overall, the combination of program innovation and efficiency gains proffered by the
    use of information technology has resulted in significant gains along the following
    indicators:

    • Improved local finances: i-Governance and ICT-DEV have contributed to an increase
    in local revenues from PhP 13M in 1988 to PhP 132M in 2002,  This has provided the
    city with more funds for its growth and equity-building programs.

    • The transparency mechanisms introduced by ICT-DEV and i-Governance, especially
    with regard to bids, awards and city procurement, has led to reductions in
    procurement costs.

    • More effective and efficient service delivery: Streamlining of processes and the
    computerization of common applications has improved service delivery times. This is
    particularly evident for frontline services such as: (Naga City ITG Case Study, Page 5)

  • Determination of business and real property tax due: from 4 hours to 1
    minute
  • Issuance of birth certificates: from 1 week to 30 minutes
  • Processing of Mayor’s Permit: from 2 hours to 30 minutes
  • Processing of Building Permit: from 15 days (as mandated by the National
    Building Code) to five days

    These results have led to Naga being chosen by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce
    and Industry as the “Most Business-Friendly City” in the Philippines in 2002. In the
    same year, the city was selected by the DILG as the regional model for its Anti-Red
    Tape Campaign.

    These improvements are also being felt at the household level. The average annual
    family income of Nagueños is 126 percent higher than the average family in the
    greater Bicol region. At PhP 174,500, it is also 42 percent higher