GOYANG, 23 June 2014 – Senior Philippine delegates at a United Nations forum on public service held on 23-26 June 2014 at KINTEX, Goyang City, in Gyeonggi Province, emphasized the importance of active citizen participation in keeping the government honest and transparent.

Atty. Maria Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, Chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), and Mayor Benjamin Abalos of Mandaluyong City, represented the Philippines as resource speakers at the UN Service Forum Day and Awards Ceremony, which was also attended by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez. In her presentation on “Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA): How Citizen Participation can enhance value for money audit in the Philippines”, COA Chairperson Pulido-Tan pointed out that the effectiveness of the CPA rests on the premise that “public accountability can prosper only with a vigilant citizenry”. She cited the important role of the CPA in ensuring transparency, accountability and citizen participation in the operation of the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project and various barangay (village) health centers and solid waste management in four low-lying municipalities in Metropolitan Manila. In a presentation on “Innovating Governance in Changing Environment: Paradigm Shift in Public Administration: The Mandaluyong Experience”, Mayor Abalos shared with the audience his experience in transforming Mandaluyong from a municipality to a progressive “tiger city” through effective public governance via the Effective and Ethical Good Governance System (E2-G2). This system of governance has resulted in the implementation of innovative projects such as the Standard Business Registration Process that has promoted a business-friendly climate for investors and the environmentally friendly Electric Tricycles Project, a joint project with the Asian Development Bank. The UN Service Forum Day and Awards Ceremony is held annually pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 57/277 of 2003. This event aims to give due recognition to the invaluable contribution of public servants to the community and to highlight the important role of public service in the development process of a country.