ASoG-ExecEd briefs local executives on upcoming “CLEAR Governance Training” program

On September 15, 2022, the Ateneo School of Government through its Executive Education Program gave an orientation to local executives of various local government units about the upcoming capacity-building program titled “Capacitating Local Executives for Agile and Responsive Governance Training (CLEAR Governance Training)”. Held at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City, the event was attended by about 20 potential participants. 

In partnership with USAID through its RenewHealth Project, the training aims to increase the capacity of local government officials to make real on the promise of full local autonomy and to shift the local approaches to solving the drug problem from a law enforcement perspective to a more holistic, health-based angle. The modules of the training program are anchored on the basics of local government unit management with special focus on Community-based Drug Rehabilitation (CBDR).

The orientation session was the last part of the 3-day CBDR conference implemented by USAID  RenewHealth Project. The orientation session commenced with the recorded opening remarks of the ASoG Dean Philip Arnold P. Tuaño where he highlighted the School’s commitment to bridging the gaps between classroom knowledge, real-world policymaking wisdom, and boots-on-the-ground governance realities.

Afterwards, more details about the training, including the methodology and schedule, were discussed by Former Pangasinan Governor and  Former Congressman Victor E. Agbayani, ASoG Core Faculty who also serves as the program’s Training Director. He explained the theoretical and practical aspects that the participants will gain from the program that they can use in effecting appropriate anti-drug abuse problems in their locality. ASoG Academic Head, Cristina M. Alikpala, then introduced the School and the work that it does emphasizing the School’s vision towards a more democratic and inclusive Philippines. 

The last part of the orientation was the problem identification workshop wherein Former Governor Agbayani outlined the usual problems and challenges that local government units confront when dealing with the drug problem. During the workshop, he stressed that each LGU has varying needs and at different levels in addressing said problems as they have  unique socio-political and economic environments, but the key to long lasting solutions is to find the best starting point in addressing it. The orientation ended with an open forum wherein participants were given the opportunity to share their own challenges. In turn, potential solutions were floated in the discussion for the participants to reflect upon.

The CLEAR Governance Training will run from October 17, 2022  to November 16, 2022 through synchronous and asynchronous activities.