schoolscolleges2020 hed news


SYSTEMS THINKING. Sumilao Mayor Jose Antonio Villo says that systems thinking gives his local administration a broader perspective on their roles and responsibilities as public servants and leaders. Contributed photo.

By Mary Ann Chiong and Wilson Hormeguera

The Bridging Leadership training of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan’s Governance and Leadership Institute (XU-GLI) gives high premium on systems thinking in the analysis of social inequities.

“Systems thinking gives a broader picture of my responsibility. I am not a superman,” shares Sumilao Mayor Jose Antonio Villo.

“If there is no participation, I am still powerless. There should be co-ownership among stakeholders,” he adds.

Besides Villo, leaders from 15 participating municipalities in Mindanao will undergo the Bridging Leadership program and explore on multistakeholder approaches to address the identified priority concerns in their respective municipalities.

These target municipalities are: Lantapan, Manolo Fortich, and Sumilao (Bukidnon); Kauswagan and Tangcal (Lanao del Norte); El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; New Bataan and Montevista (Compostela Valley); Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur; Tampakan, South Cotabato; Loreto and Veruela (Agusan del Sur); Loreto, Dinagat Islands; and Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

The training was aimed at revisiting their leadership commitment towards poverty reduction and understanding social inequities using systems thinking approach.

Among the social issues that the participating municipalities had brought up and to address in the coming months through BL are food security, agri-tourism, agro-fishery, and education.

The said event included sessions on (1) Understanding Inequity and Bridging Leadership, (2) Reflections on Personal Leadership Journey and Leadership Capital, and (3) Analysis of the Current Reality and Visioning, facilitated by GLI director Dr Dixon Yasay, professor Luther Labitad, and Engr Gail de la Rita, respectively.

Former mayor and XU-Masterson Awardee Romeo Tiongco also shared on how his bridging leadership experience became instrumental in achieving peace and order in (then-unstable) Damulog, Bukidnon during his stint as the local chief executive.

The training, held on May 17-18, at the Apple Tree Resort, Opol, Misamis Oriental, was first of XU-GLI’s Angat Buhay Fellowship Program in partnership with SEAOIL Foundation and the Office of the Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo. ∎