San Fernando nearing PGS Hall of Fame

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government of San Fernando is well on its way to becoming part of the Hall of Fame of organizations all over the world that have adopted the Harvard-patterned Public Governance System (PGS).

If the words of the assessment team sent by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) were any indications, then this city is close to having its PGS implementation institutionalized, meaning it will be part of the city’s governance even as leaders come and go.

ISA executive director Chris Zaens said the city posted “impressive results” since it adopted the PGS about four years ago.

Any day this month, the ISA will determine if the city’s PGS will be elevated into the “Institutionalized” status, the fourth and final stage of the Balanced Scorecard ladder.

Balanced Scorecard is an innovative measurement system used in improving the governance of public and private institutions globally by identifying workable action plans and periodically assessing the progression based on quantifiable accomplishments.

Zaens said San Fernando, which is one of the second batch of Philippine cities that adopted the PGS, has been among the resilient LGUs to push on with the rigorous process despite the strict requirement set by the ISA.

“Many were called but few are chosen,” Zaens said referring to the huge percentage of fall-outs among the LGUs that have joined the PGS bandwagon but could not go further up the assessment levels.

Once San Fernando receives the “Institutionalized” status, Zaens said the ISA would nominate the city to the Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame.

Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, in 2005, initiated the move to adopt the Balanced Scorecard after being invited by the ISA, chaired by former Finance secretary Jesus Estanislao.

For the purpose, Rodriguez also supervised the creation of a Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC), which will help the LGU craft significant programs for the Fernandinos.

Rodriguez said the PGS translates to effective and transparent governance to benefit the constituency.