The Philippines, being a tropical
country, is given so many natural resources. From the expanse of forests and
seemingly infinite seas, there lie many varieties of trees, fruits and flowers
and a rich diversity of animals from sea creatures to land dwellers and air
gliders. Aside from those, the country is also gifted of human resources, given
around 90 million people, said to be optimistic, happy, talented, smart and
efficient people. But how come this country remains in the third world? Why
can’t this country excel provided with all these blessings?
The
answer is simple, this country lacked good governance. In the 1992 report
entitled “Governance and Development”, the World Bank set out its definition of
good governance. This term is defined as “the manner in which power is
exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for
development”. This country failed to manage its resources properly maybe
because it lacked or totally didn’t have the characteristics, or failed to
apply the concept of what makes good governance.
We
usually use good governance in political science, public administration and,
more particularly, in management and development. Good governance is likely
related with democracy, civil society, participation and sustainable
development.
