By Wilson J Hormeguera

Dr Dixon Yasay, director of Xavier University - Governance and Leadership Institute (XU-GLI), was one of the speakers in a forum on “The Role and Contributions of the Political Leaders of the Pilot Provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Cebu and South Cotabato in Partnerships for Integrity and Jobs (Project I4J)” on January 7-8 at Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

Dr Yasay’s talk, “Compliance or Substantive Involvement?” focused on the mechanisms and options of broad and meaningful citizens’ participation in planning and decision making in the local government units.

The event formed part of the on-going Project I4J which customized integrity mechanisms for the improvement of the business and investment related local administrative procedures. This project is a collaboration among the local governments, business community and civil society organizations.  It was piloted in 9 LGUs with progressive leadership: 3 in Luzon (Mindoro Oriental, Municipality of Naujan, Puerto Princesa), 3 in the Visayas (Province of Cebu, Municipality of Tuburan, San Carlos City) and 3 in Mindanao (South Cotabato, Cluster of Iranun Municipalities in Maguindanao  and Cagayan de Oro City).

The forum was organized in a consortium led by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the League of Municipalities, the League of Cities, the League of Provinces, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and the Centrist Democracy Political Institute.