Archive
Kaya Natin! Statement of Support for Rep. Kaka Bag-ao
Official Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership Statement of support to Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao
The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership strongly supports our Kaya Natin! Champion, Rep. Kaka Bag-ao’s appointment as the official caretaker of Lone District of Dinagat Islands.
We believe that Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. made the right decision in appointing her as the caretaker of the said district given that she grew up in this district and would therefore be in the right position to understand the real needs of her constituency.
Moreover, Rep. Bag-ao has always been known to be an advocate of the rights of the marginalized as evidenced by her active involvement as one of the lead lawyers for the Sumilao farmers fight for their land. Aside from this, Rep. Bag-ao has also proven to be a Champion of Transparency and Public Accountability as evidenced by her continued strong support for the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill that is currently being debated upon in our Congress.
Instead of criticizing her being appointed as caretaker, we should be thankful that apart from her duties as AKBAYAN’s duly elected representative, she has also accepted the challenge of ensuring that basic services are delivered efficiently and effectively without any tinge of graft and corruption to the people of Dinagat Islands.
As one of the poorest provinces in our country and having been neglected by its former Representative, the Dinagat Islands actually deserve more support than the more than P 100 Million that has already been channeled through the initiative of Rep. Bag-ao.
We believe that instead of tainting this issue with politics, we should instead appreciate the fact that because of Rep. Bag-ao’s assignment as caretaker of the district, more Filipino children will now be able to study, access to potable drinking water will now be provided to more barangays, the development of farm to market roads will provide our farmers with higher income and more indigent patients will now be able to access quality healthcare.
Again, we strongly vouch for the credibility and integrity of our Kaya Natin! Champion, Rep. Kaka Bag-ao. We believe that the people of the Dinagat Islands will be well served with her as their caretaker.
For more information about Kaya Natin, visit http://www.kayanatin.org or call (02) 433-1440
Can you spare two minutes for the Philippines?
Dear Friends,
Kaya Natin-MSD Launch partnership for Maternal Health in Quezon City
Kaya Natin-MSD launch HL4M
The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership together with MSD launched the Health Leaders for Mothers Program which aims to help decrease the maternal and infant mortality rate among women in Quezon City. The project is done together with SINAG, QC Rep. Bolet Banal and the Ateneo School of Government. This is another example of how good governance and leadership with integrity can lead to public-private partnerships towards the efficient delivery of basic services to marginalized communities in our country. For more information about this project, please contact Jess Lorenzo at jesslorenzo@gmail.com .
Harvey Keh speaks on behalf of Kaya Natin!
MSD Philippines President Chris Tan talks about why MSD is investing in Maternal Health
Kaya Natin! Champion and QC Rep. Bolet Banal thanks the partners on behalf of his constituents
Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership MTV
Whatever happened to Joker Arroyo?
Whatever happened to Joker Arroyo?
by: Harvey S. Keh
The Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/5502-whatever-happened-to-joker
Students from Sagad Elementary School (Pasig) enjoy their new library and new books
THE Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation, the corporate social responsibility program of Filway Marketing Inc., just inaugurated its 48th adopted public elementary school library at Sagad Elementary School in Pasig City. By the end of September, AHON would have helped in the development and improvement of more than 50 public elementary school libraries as it was set to open three more in Southern Leyte. This is one of the apostolate works of the president and chief executive officer of Filway Marketing, Hector O. Tagaysay, who was educated in the public school system before receiving a scholarship to study at the Ateneo de Manila University. Unlike other businessmen who love to broadcast their achievements, he has quietly provided books for over 100,000 schoolchildren all over the country. I hope that there will be more men like Tagaysay, sharing the blessings that he has received with those who need it the most.
Businessman for good governance
Another admirable businessman who has been at the forefront of Kaya Natin (KN)’s Karapatan at Kalusugan Kaya Natin Pangalagaan program is Fred Siy. He has been generously providing medicines and other medical supplies to indigent senior citizens living in the areas of our KN champions like Among Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, Rep. Bolet Banal of Quezon City, Mayor Jun Verzosa of Tagudin in Ilocos Sur, former Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, and Mayor Baby Congco of Cabiao in Nueva Ecija. Like Tagaysay, Siy is the type of businessman who would rather take on a low profile and keep quiet about the help and support that he has given. What makes the Karapatan at Kalusugan program unique is that, unlike other medical missions, it also requires beneficiaries to attend a lecture on good governance and responsible citizenship. With more socially-responsible businessmen like Tagaysay and Siy, coupled with more effective, ethical and empowering leaders like our KN champions, I am sure that it won’t be long before our country moves forward.
More on SM Blue
If we have socially responsible businessmen, then we also have business leaders who will do everything just to earn more revenue. This seems to be the case of SM Development Corp. (SMDC), which seems to believe that it is above the law. Last week, I wrote about the zoning exemption that the company was able to get from the city council, which permitted it to construct a 42-storey building named SM Blue Residences near the Marikina fault line. I forgot to mention in that piece that what was even more suspicious was how SMDC was able to get a building permit when the chairman of Barangay Loyola Heights did not even issue a barangay clearance to the corporation. Did some hanky-panky happen in city hall, like what happened with the city council? I am sure that this kind of thing is not only happening in Quezon City, but also in other parts of the country. Companies employing this practice try their best to maximize profits without regard for the community that will be affected by their massive construction efforts. It seems that the present occupant of Quezon City Hall is not inclined to do anything to redress this wrongdoing, thus it would be best if the Department of the Interior and Local Government, led by the good Sec. Jesse Robredo, conduct an immediate investigation of what really transpired these past two years. Ateneo and other stakeholders are also studying the possibility of filing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against the councilors that gave SMDC the exemption. If the corporation is really the good guy that it claims to be in all its ads, it should immediately stop construction and sit down with community leaders to find an amicable and mutually beneficial solution to this problem. Then again, that may be asking too much from a company that doesn’t seem to understand what the real meaning of corporate social responsibility is.
What happened to Joker?
Senator Joker Arroyo
Speaking of investigations and unearthing the truth, I am really wondering what happened to Sen. Joker Arroyo, who used to be at the forefront of fighting for truth, justice and righteous governance. Ever since I first saw him during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, I have always admired Arroyo and his principles. But in the last three years, I have seen that he has become a mere puppet of the previous administration, defending its leaders against allegations of graft and corruption. Just this week, he released a statement calling for the stoppage of the ongoing Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on anomalies involving police helicopter purchases made by the previous administration. What gives, Sen. Arroyo? Why are you now siding with those who want to suppress the truth? Do you still remember your campaign slogan, “Kung bad ka, lagot ka!”? He said that it would be best if the complainants would just go and file their charges in court so as not to waste the Senate’s time. While that may be a good suggestion, we all know that once a case is filed in court, it will take many years before it is resolved. People are longing for truth, accountability and justice, and as a result many continue to support the efforts of the blue ribbon committee, led by Sen. Teofisto Guingona 3rd. If Arroyo wants to protect the former president and her husband, then perhaps it would be better for him to attend the hearings and debate with his fellow senators there, rather than calling for the scrapping of these important investigations which are now giving the public a bigger picture of all the shenanigans that happened in the previous administration.
Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com
Visit my blog at : http://harveykeh.wordpress.com
Follow me at : http://twitter.com/harveykeh
Kaya Natin! Bloggers Night – August 4, Thursday
The Write Way to Good Governance
The Write Way to Good Governance
By Karla Angelica G. Pastores
The Manila Bulletin
Summer’s half over, and Filipinos are feeling the intense heat of our tropical climate. For most students, summer means beach getaways, road trips, family vacations.
Other students on summer break find this a chance to do as many activities as they can before the stress and demands of academics start all over again in June. Whether it is a hobby or an opportunity to enrich their minds, these young people take the chance of a two-month long break to do whatever they want, and possibly cross off an item or two off their bucket lists.
One way that these students can spend part of their summer vacation is through Kaya Natin’s Good Governance Writing Workshop this May. The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership is an organization that aims to promote effective, ethical, and empowering leadership by providing support to good leaders and encouraging responsible citizenship to all Filipinos.
The Good Governance Writing Workshop will train participants how to write feature stories well. Giving it a twist is the topic of good governance; participants will learn what it takes to be an effective, ethical, and empowering leader during these times in the country, and how to write about important issues in a way that would encourage other Filipinos to take part in Philippine development.
Kaya Natin! has invited experienced and notable professionals in the media industry to share their expertise in different aspects of feature writing, such as the technical side of feature writing, ethics in media, and interview skills.
Aside from media practitioners, Kaya Natin Champion and co-founder, former governor Grace Padaca will also share her experiences as a former radio broadcaster Isabela and her experience in dealing with journalists during her time as governor.
At the end of the workshop, participants will get a chance to write as contributors in the first book project of Kaya Natin, “Public Service: Others Above Self,” a compilation of the profiles of the Kaya Natin Champions of Good Governance. It will be the first in a series of books to be published by the movement that would tell the inspiring stories of all the Kaya Natin Champions.
The workshop will be held on May 18-20 at the Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Slots are limited, and registration is free. For inquiries and applications, you may contact Wendell Balderas at (02) 434 1458 or send an email to knmovement@gmail.com.
The Manila Times: Summer of Good Governance
Summer of Good Governance
By: Harvey S. Keh
The Manila Times
I’m glad that someone finally filed a plunder case against former President and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Former Solicitor General Frank Chavez recently filed a P 550 Million plunder charge against Arroyo, former Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Francisco Duque III and former OWWA administrator Virgilio Angelo. The case is in connection to their alleged misuse of the OWWA Funds which are supposed to be used only for the welfare of overseas Filipinos. According to Chavez, these funds were diverted to PhilHealth in early 2004 with the approval of Arroyo. The said funds were used to help boost the re-election bid of Arroyo in the 2004 national elections. It is no wonder why for the past years many of our overseas Filipinos who encounter problems abroad have a hard time in getting assistance from the OWWA since their funds have been depleted and used for another purpose.
Other Corruption Scandals
I am sure that many Filipinos have been waiting for justice to be served to Arroyo and her cohorts which has been involved in several graft and corruption scandals during their 9 years in Malacañang. This will also help in further solidifying the present administration’s commitment towards stamping out all forms of graft and corruption in government. Many of us are also waiting for prosecution of those who also took part in the NBN-ZTE Broadband deal and the Fertilizer Scam. I feel for Jun Lozada and his family who sacrificed several years of their lives just to be able to fight for the truth but up until now not one of those who perpetuated the NBN-ZTE deal has been brought to justice. If this continues to be the trend even in this administration, I wouldn’t be surprised if whistleblowers and truth tellers will no longer come out with their exposes. The only major roadblock that seems to hamper these efforts to jail these crooks in our government is the institution that is supposed to be the one to prosecute them which is the office of the Ombudsman. It would be good for the general public not to let up in its pressure to ask our Senators to immediately vote to impeach the Ombudsman so that we can finally hold these corrupt officials in the previous administration accountable for their actions.
Children from Brgy. Old Balara doing their artworks
We Heart Preventive Health Program
This summer, the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) is launching several good governance initiatives. Good governance doesn’t only mean the absence of graft and corruption in the government but more importantly, it also stresses the need for efficient and effective delivery of important basic services to the people. In the 3rd district of Quezon City, KN recently launched its We Heart Preventive Health Program that aims to educate residents of Brgy. Old Balara about the importance of staying healthy in order for them to avoid getting sick. This is done through art workshops that are given by volunteers led by KN Core Group member Stephanie Sison, to children from the baranggay. During these art workshops, the children are taught different ways on how to prevent particular sicknesses such as diarrhea, flu, cough and colds. At the end of the workshops, the best artworks will then be made into a calendar that will be given to the households in the baranggay. Through this initiative, KN hopes to be able to help our only KN Champion in Metro Manila, QC Rep. Bolet Banal in promoting quality healthcare in his district. For those who want to donate or volunteer for this project, you can send an email to sd.sison@yahoo.com or you can also contact the KN office at (02) 434-1458.
Good Governance Summer Writing Workshop
For college students who are currently looking for something worthwhile to do this summer, KN is offering a free summer writing workshop that will train participants on writing inspiring feature stories. The workshop will be facilitated by notable writers and editors whose stories have already been published in our country’s major dailies such as The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Manila Bulletin. Aside from this, participants will get a chance to meet and interact with the KN Champs such as Ramon Magsaysay Awardees DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and former Gov. Grace Padaca who are known to exemplify effective, ethical and empowering leadership. The summer writing workshop will be held from May 18-20,2011 at the Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. If you are interested to apply and register, you can contact Wendell Balderas at (02) 434-1458 or you can also send an email to knmovement@gmail.com.
Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com .
Kaya Natin! Summer Writing Workshop
Help promote Good Governance! Buy Kaya Natin! T-Shirts!
We are currently selling Kaya Natin! T-Shirts at P 200.00 each. Sizes are Small, Medium, Large and XL. To place your order, you can contact Kai Pastores at (02) 434-1458 or send an email to kai.pastores@gmail.com .
Hurry! Limited stocks only!
