Amid calls for accountability and unrest over revelations that leaders are colluding with private entities for profit, many Filipinos are questioning whether good leadership is still possible. The answer is yes — when public servants take their mandate seriously, and when private citizens actively support good governance initiatives.
Good governance is not an abstract idea; it is the tangible outcome of leaders who serve with integrity and citizens who engage with responsibility.
The following articles were first written in 2023 by Summer Sanares of De La Salle University Manila as part of a student intern series for GoodNewsPilipinas. Today, we revisit and republish it to showcase a youth perspective on good governance through real case studies from the barangay to the national level — stories that inspire hope while offering practical solutions to the failures of leadership now being exposed.
Barangay Level: Pasig City’s Breastfeeding Program
Poor leadership often neglects the most vulnerable — mothers and children. But Barangay San Antonio in Pasig City shows how grassroots initiatives can step in where national systems falter. Through Gatas ni Mommy, Ayuda for Family, mothers exchange excess breast milk for rice while donations go to families in need and hospitals.
📌 Read more: It Takes a Village: How Barangay San Antonio in Pasig City’s Breastfeeding Program is Transforming Children’s Lives.
City Level: Iloilo’s Tree Park Network
Where some leaders exploit land and natural resources for short-term gain, Iloilo City offers an alternative vision. Its Tree Park Network creates eco-parks and gardens that preserve native flora, protect biodiversity, and give residents healthier living spaces.
Provincial Level: Expansion of Bike Lanes
While poor leadership prioritizes car-centric infrastructure that benefits only a few, the expansion of bike lanes across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao — more than 500 kilometers built — proves that inclusive mobility is possible.
📌 Read more: Wheels of Change: How the Philippines’ New Bike Lanes Are Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Transportation.
National Level: Freedom of Information Bill
At the highest levels, governance collapses when secrecy protects corruption. The Freedom of Information Bill provides a direct countermeasure: transparency. By ensuring citizens’ right to access government records, FOI empowers Filipinos to demand accountability and strengthens democratic participation.
📌 Read more: Inside the Freedom of Information Bill: See How This Legislation is Leading the Charge on Good Governance.
Retaining the Good in the Philippines
These case studies prove that good governance is possible — and thriving — in the Philippines. From barangays prioritizing nutrition, to cities investing in green spaces, to provinces creating inclusive mobility, to national policies strengthening transparency — Filipino leaders and communities are offering real solutions.
As corruption scandals shake public trust, these stories show the way forward. Retaining the good in the Philippines means scaling up these models, celebrating their impact, and demanding more leaders and citizens follow their example.
Read the Full Good Governance Series
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