Midterm Module in SocSci2
Midterm Module in SocSci2
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MODULE 3
THE CONCEPT AND THEORIES OF GOVERNANCE
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Explain the significance of the shift in how people and nations perceive governance and how it differs
from government;
2. Critically define the meaning of good governance;
3. Discuss the art of governance and identify the activities encompassed in the act of governing; and
4. Discuss the significance/essence of governance in the development process;
I. Lesson Input
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3. “The sound exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority to manage a country’s
resources for development. It involves the institutionalization of a system through which citizens, institutions,
organizations, and groups in a society articulate their interests, exercise their rights, and mediate their
differences in pursuit of the collective good “(Country Governance Assessment 2005).
4. “The exercise of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at
all levels. It comprises mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate
their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations, and mediate their differences.” UNDP.
5. refers to how any organization, including a nation, is run. It includes all the processes, systems,
and controls that are used to safeguard and grow assets.” (UNDP, 1997)
6. “The systems, processes and procedures put in place to steer the direction, management and
accountability of an organization.” Birmingham City Council.
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EXERCISE NO. 1
Answer the following questions briefly. Observe this criteria:
Depth of Analysis - 40%
Application of major concepts - 60%.
1. What is your understanding of the concept of governance? What is your own concept of governance.
Explain.
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MODULE 4
KEY ACTORS IN GOVERNANCE
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Identify the different actors in governance;
2. Critically explain the role of each player in the governance process; and
3. Critique on the current efforts of these key actors in the any governance endeavors.
I. Lesson Input
1. The State
The state is the principal actor of government to facilitate participation and provide an enabling
environment to other elements of the society. It is a strong entity that recognizes the significance and
autonomy of the other sectors without overwhelming them.
1. 1 The state as enabler provides for the legal and regulatory framework and political order within
which firms and organizations can plan and act. It encourages citizens to act by liberating them from the
fear of military reprisals when they criticize policies or serve marginalized groups. It can assure private firms
that policies are fair and not subject to caprice or whim or the private interest of political officials.
1.2. The state as resource provider facilitates by providing resources to assist markets and
communities. Such resources include information, technical expertise, research and development programs,
physical infrastructure as well as grants-in-aid or incentive schemes.
As part of the state, the local government performs a crucial role in the efforts of the national
government in implementing its programs and projects. The Local government is the real actor in effecting
governance and development.
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technology such as the application of spatial planning and decision support systems for effective local
governance.
The participation of market and civil society in governance adds new role to the state and that is of
building partnerships and linkages to the two sectors. Moreover, their engagement of the state shifts the
social picture from elite control to active citizenship.
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EXERCISE NO. 2
Read and analyze the questions below. Answer them using your learning in this module. Observe this
criteria:
Depth of Analysis - 40%
Application of major concepts - 60%.
1. In one paragraph discuss the inter-relationships of the 3 major actors in governance. You may provide a
matrix or diagram to illustrate your answer.
2. In your own perspective, what is view on the role of government in any governance efforts?
3. What can you suggest to the government, the private sector and the civil society to further improve their
services?
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MODULE 5
INDICATORS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Identify the different actors in governance;
2. Critically explain the role of each player in the governance process; and
3. Critique on the current efforts of these key actors in the any governance endeavors.
Lesson Input
1. Participation refers to active involvement of all affected and interested parties in the decision-making
process. Participation is one of the strengths of Philippine governance. The 1987 Philippine Constitution is
replete of provisions dealing with relational and inter-sectoral governance. The Local Government Act of
1989 was borne out of the need for decentralization in Philippine governance. As such, these and other
related legislations may be considered as normative standards for good governance.
2. Rule of Law. Democracy is essentially the rule of law. Rule of law demands that the people and the civil
society render habitual obedience to the law. It also demands that the government acts within the limits of
the powers and functions prescribed by the law.
The Philippines does not fare well in this aspect of good governance. In spite of being one of the
oldest democracies in the region, the Philippines ranked as last among seven indexed Asian countries
according to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. Generally, the reasons for ranking last are “lack of
respect for law,” “pervasive and systemic corruption in the government,” and “circumvention of the law.”
Lack of respect for law is generally caused by distrust on the integrity of law enforcement agencies. Order
and security are compromised and criminal justice is rendered ineffectual.
3. Effectiveness and Efficiency. Actors meet the needs of the society means that there is effective
governance. That the valuable resources are utilized, without wasting or underutilizing any of them, means
that there is efficient governance.
Enhancement and standardization of the quality of public service delivery consistent with
international standards, professionalization of bureaucracy.
Efforts were made to attain effectiveness and efficiency in Philippine governance. The Anti-Red
Tape Act of 2007 (ARTA), for instance, was passed to require the setting up of Citizen’s Charter for a
simplified procedure and to facilitate governmental transactions. Also, many government departments and
agencies pursued a rationalization program to check excessive and redundant staffing.
4. Transparency. Transparency, as an indicator of good governance, means that people are open to
information regarding decision-making process and the implementation of the same. In legal terms, it
means that information on matters of public concern are made available to the citizens or those who will be
directly affected.
It also means that transactions involving public interests must be fully disclosed and made
accessible to the people.
Efforts were made in pursuit of transparency in Philippine governance. As far as the government
sector is concerned, the current administration, consistent with its drive of curbing corruption, promotes
honesty and integrity in public service. It is currently pursuing the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill
and other related legislations, as well as intensifying people’s engagement in local governance.
Transparency in budget and disbursements are, however, still far from being substantially implemented.
5. Responsiveness means that institutions and processes serve all stakeholders in a timely and
appropriate manner. It also means that actors and structures of governance easily give genuine expression
to the will or desire of the people.
Some of the important efforts made to attain responsive governance in the Philippines are
decentralization, creation of citizen’s charter in all frontline agencies (as required by ARTA), and gender
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sensitivity programs. First, through decentralization, local governments, which are more proximate to their
constituents, serve more promptly the people, who in turn become more involved in decision-making.
Second, every government agency now has it Citizen’s Charter, which provides timeframes for
every step in attaining frontline services. Agencies now must also respond to written queries sent by the
stakeholders or interested parties within a period of ten days, otherwise there will be delayed service.
However, this aspect of governance still remains to be one of the causes for the decline of public’s
confidence in the public sector. Although the ARTA has been passed, there is still so much delay in public
service delivery. The failure of the government agencies to explain the charters to the stakeholders is one of
the main reasons why there is still delay.
6. Equity and Inclusiveness. Equity and inclusiveness means that all the members of the society,
especially the most vulnerable ones or the grassroots level, must be taken into consideration in policy
making. Social equity refers to a kind of justice that gives more opportunity to the less fortunate members of
the society.
The Philippine Government has done extensive efforts in promoting equity and inclusiveness. The
Constitution makes it as one of its state policies the promotion of social justice. Pursuant to this, the
Congress has enacted social legislations like the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law which aims at
freeing the farmer tenants from the bondage of the soil. Also, representation in the Congress, under the
party list system, is constitutionally mandated to have sectoral representation of the underprivileged.
Gender and Development programs are in the process of being integrated with the various structures and
institutions in the country. But legislation is one thing; implementation is another. It is in the faithful
implementation of these laws that the country failed. Inequality is especially felt in the justice system,
electoral system, and even in the bureaucracy itself.
7. Consensus Oriented. Governance is consensus oriented when decisions are made after taking into
consideration the different viewpoints of the actors of the society.
Among the things done by the Philippines in promoting a consensus oriented governance are: (1)
creation of a wide-based of representation in the Congress; (2) a two-tiered legislature or bicameralism
which subjects legislation to the evaluation of national and district legislators; and (3) necessity of public
hearings or consultations of various governmental policies and actions.
8. Accountability. Accountability means answerability or responsibility for one’s action. It is based on the
principle that every person or group is responsible for their actions most especially when their acts affect
public interest.
Accountability comes in various forms: political, hierarchical, and managerial accountability. Political
accountability refers to the accountability of public officials to the people they represent. Hierarchical
accountability refers to the ordered accountability of the various agencies and their respective officers and
personnel in relation to their program objectives. Managerial accountability refers to employee
accountability based on organization and individual performance. The Philippines in the recent years had
endeavored to comply with the requirements of accountability. It had put in action the concept of political
accountability as it held answerable erring public officials involved in graft and corruption and for acts
contrary to the mandate of the constitution. It had also strengthened parliamentary scrutiny through
legislative investigations and creation of special committees exercising oversight functions. The Office of the
Ombudsman, considered as the public watchdog, has become ever so active in investigating and
prosecuting graft and plunders cases. Citizen’s Charter, as required by ARTA, was also an important tool in
promoting professional public service values. In this area, Philippine governance has done relatively well.
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EXERCISE NO. 3
Using the 8 indicators of good governance, observe our national and/or local government today. In what
specific actions/events taken by the government do they fulfill and disregard these indicators?
Participation
Rule of Law
Transparency
Responsiveness
Consensus-Oriented
Accountability
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