By Ivan Anthony D. Sapio, BA Comm-4, OJT

The Pagdumala committee members, speaker, and participants pose for their photo op.

In line with their internship subject, Central Philippine University (CPU) Political Science and Public Administration (PSPA) interns, headed by the First Group Committee Head, Mr. Lander Dean Alcorano, held a webinar about innovative governance entitled “Pagdumala: A Webinar on Redefining Governance in the New Normal” on April 6 via Zoom. The program is co-presented by CPU Social Science Department, CPU College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and CPU Outreach Center.

The said webinar was part of the educational endeavor of the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration graduating students under the supervision of their internship adviser, Ms. Renia Dela Peña.

Mr. Christian Nagaynay, Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division of the Department of Interior and Local Government Region VI – Western Visayas, talked about innovative governance in the new normal and excellent governance practices in Western Visayas.

Hon. Risa Hontiveros, Senator of the 18th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, also delivered a special message which focused on empowering women and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) amidst pandemic.

The Pagdumala Webinar reached a maximum of 298 participants which was mostly composed of students from different organizations and degree program in CPU. Meanwhile, the webinar was also attended by participants from University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, West Visayas State University, University of San Agustin, Filamer Christian University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Pangasinan State University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo, Negros Oriental State University, St. Bridget College-Batangas, University of Makati, Cebu Normal University, Interface Computer College Inc., Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, University of Saint Louis, Apayao State College, and employees from the National Power Corporation, Department of Health, and Department of Interior and Local Government – Region VI.

Alcorano, CPU Republic Vice President and the head committee of the said webinar, said that they decided to focus on the topic since it will allow participants to learn about the critical role of innovative governance in the new normal, and assess how the workforce of the region’s Local Government Unit is adapting and how it has influenced the delivery of public services to the body politic.

“We wanted the participants in this webinar to be challenged to put the actions and activities of their elected officials and government bureaucracy under a microscope in order to encourage them to uphold good governance innovations,” Alcorano added.

According to CAS Provincial Council Vice Governor and one of the Political Science and Public Administration student interns, Iana Lexlee Cogollo, Pagdumala aims to educate participants on the importance of good governance in the new normal, as well as to discuss outstanding governance innovations being implemented by various government departments and offices, specifically in Region VI.

The next phase of the webinar which will focus on Voters Education will be virtually held on April 20.