NCPAG Students at the Forefront of Good Governance

Students of the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) took the lead in promoting good governance among their brethren.

The NCPAG Student Government organized the gathering of some 250 students at the Philippine Good Governance Summit (PGGS) held at NCPAG on 31 January to 4 February 2014.

The four-day PGGS “featured plenary and workshop sessions that gathered students from all over the Philippines to assist them in building their capacity in battling social problems through this year’s theme of advancing good governance principles through youth capacity building,” said the organizers.

The organizers further explained that “The PGGS aims to provide a broader and wider avenue for the youth to contribute to national development through good governance by means of active societal involvement in the form of programs and projects to effect positive impact to their community. The Summit will also assist in building the capacity of the youth and reinforcing their linkages for them to be prepared in battling societal problems through the tenets of good governance.”

UP Diliman Chancellor Saloma welcomed the participants during the opening ceremony. In his message, Saloma emphasized the importance of activities like the PGGS in creating an environment conducive to students’ growth and development.  “We want to build an environment where students can reach beyond their realm,” said Saloma.

NCPAG Dean Mara Fe V. Mendoza expressed her optimism about the PGGS. She said that the “summit is very timely in light of the recent developments in the Philippine bureaucracy, which has, once again been marred by news of corruption, service delays, inefficiencies and other forms of negative bahavior.”

Mendoza said she hopes that the participants “find knowledge, wisdom, best practices, and inspiration from the Summit and bring these on to (their) future careers and help promote public welfare and interest.”

Among the plenary speakers at the PGGS are The Apprentice Asia winner Jonathan Yabut, National Youth Commission Chairperson Leon G. Flores, and Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Program Director Luigi De Vera.

The PGGS was co-presented by the Asian Development Bank.