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THE Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership is now looking for more local government officials to join its ranks. The movement which was initially convened by the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government (ASOG) recently had a political retreat and strategic planning session at the Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark Field in Pampanga and one the main things that was resolved is to be able to include more effective and ethical local government leaders in its fold. Currently, Kaya Natin! is led by Governors Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga, Grace Padaca of Isabela, Teddy Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao, Mayors Jesse Robredo of Naga City and Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Since the movement began in June last year, it has already brought its Caravan of Good Governance to more than 40 colleges and universities nationwide speaking before thousands of students. Over the weekend, Kaya Natin! visited Araullo University in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and the University of the Assumption in San Fernando City, Pampanga. According to its lead convenor, Harvey Keh of the ASOG, the movement believes that there are many other local government leaders who are currently practicing good governance and ethical leadership in their respective areas and thus, the movement would like to invite them to join. "We don't believe that majority of our government leaders are corrupt especially those in the local level thus, I think our goal to be able to recruit 300 more Kaya Natin! champions by the end of 2009 is very much achievable" said Keh. Keh also mentioned that this will be done by working closely with other like-minded groups such as the Movement for Good Governance (MGG), BUSINA, Galing Pook Foundation, Convergence Team and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). Panlilio also added that the movement also aims to serve as a leadership sanctuary and support group for upright government leaders who often struggle against the prevalent graft and corruption present in our country's government systems. Kaya Natin! has supported Panlilio against several issues, foremost of which was the recall petition filed against him by his political opponents late last year. Robredo said that the movement doesn't have any plans to transform itself as a political party that will field a Presidential candidate in the 2010 polls since all of them come from different parties. "What we want to show is despite the fact that all of us are from different political parties, we can all cross party lines and come together for the common good of the Filipino people" added Robredo, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service. Padaca who is also a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, urged the general public and like-minded institutions to help the movement identify these deserving leaders. "We will screen nominees and applicants based on two major criteria, effective delivery of basic services to their constituents and whether or not they are able to do this while continuing to be morally-upright" said Padaca. Kaya Natin! is not only open to incumbent local government officials but also to leaders who have previously served as governors, mayors, board members and councilors. Lorenzo who recently announced that she is open to the possibility of running for Governor of Nueva Ecija, said that the main aim of the movement is to be able to come up with a critical mass of effective and ethical leaders who will all work towards a common agenda that will enable the country to work towards solving poverty. Baguilat, Jr. also stressed that the movement will continue to champion issues which will promote greater equality and social justice in our country. Among these advocacies that the movement is currently pushing for is the extension with reform of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and the complete eradication of illegal gambling in the country. Finally, Keh urged Filipinos to help Kaya Natin! in expanding its ranks by sending in their nominations to kayanatin@yahoo.com or by calling the Kaya Natin! secretariat at (02) 426-5657.

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