DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Diaspora for Good Governance (D4G2) and the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (CCAGG) recognized public servants and citizens who go the extra mile in fostering transparency in the delivery of education services.
The Community of Champions awards, given last 3 October 2012 at the Davao Eagle Ridge Resort, acknowledge the commitment and initiative of DepEd personnel and school community stakeholders in furthering transparency, accountability, and better governance in their communities through the promotion of school-based monitoring of public school buildings and armchairs.
The award is given in partnership with the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP), and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
“ We commend the people behind the Community of Champions Award as it fosters an enabling environment for good governance practices to flourish,” . said Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC.
The awardees are: Secretary Armin A. Luistro, Director Aida N. Carpentero, DepEd Central Office, Regional Director Susana B. Estigoy, DepEd Region XI Office, Ms. Zosima S. Retardo, DepEd Division of Compostela Valley, Ms. Ann A. Velez, DepEd Division of Davao City, The Supreme Student Government of Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, DepEd Division of Davao City, Engr. Lolita P. Andamon, DepEd Division of Davao del Norte, Dana Foundation, Inc., Davao del Norte, Ms. Raquel L. Cedeño, DepEd Division of Davao del Sur, Ms. Norma T. Alfano, DepEd Division of Davao Oriental, Mr. Allan Balisbis, DepEd Division of Samal City, OIC-Supt. Reynaldo B. Mellorida, DepEd Divison of Samal and Ms. Merle M. Paclibar, DepEd Division of Samal City.
The awardees were chosen through a project called the Collaboration for Reforms in Education (CORE), a school-based procurement monitoring initiative implemented by D4G2 and CCAGG, in partnership with the Department of Education, from April to October 2012. CORE provided training to school-based community stakeholders on monitoring the procurement and contract implementation of school armchairs and buildings in 150 schools in Region XI that are under AusAID’s Support for Philippine Basic Education Reform (SPHERE) and Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF).
Parent Teachers Associations (PTA), School Governing Councils (SGCs), and school personnel were encouraged to hold suppliers and contractors accountable through constructive engagement with local DepEd officials. Ms. Elaine Ward, Counsellor for AusAID commended the initiative and the people behind it, including school-based volunteers and monitors, by saying that they are the “backbone of the greater reform in the education sector”.
“The award is given to recognize the efforts of these unsung heroes and the diamonds in the rough who value good governance, transparency, and accountability even when no one is looking and even when it is not required,” Ms. Caroline R. Belisario, Executive Director of D4G2 said, commending the awardees.