Strategic management office proposed in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — A proposal has been made to establish an Office for Strategic Management (OSM) in Cebu City to develop and implement effective management systems.

This office aims to define and streamline governance systems and procedures across all city departments and offices.

City Planner Arch’t. Joseph Michael “Yumi” P. Espina and Atty. Dominic A. Diño, head of the Internal Audit Service Office (IASO), mentioned that Mayor Raymond Garcia is receptive to the idea.

Garcia, however, emphasized that the OSM should comply with the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) to ensure valuable performance and continuous improvement in public service.

Espina and Diño have recommended that Garcia consider adopting the Performance Governance System (PGS) and the Quality Management System (QMS) at City Hall. The OSM could initially be created through an Executive Order to operate as a special body under the Office of the Mayor, and later through an ordinance to eventually evolve into a full-fledged department.

Espina noted that the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) has been promoting the PGS, assisting national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).

Former Finance Secretary and ISA founder Jesus Estanislao recently visited Mayor Garcia to discuss the PGS.

Several national government offices and neighboring LGUs, including Mandaue City, have already adopted the PGS.

“The PGS involves the private sector that regularly take part to critique the plans and activities of the government office through a score card system through a revalida,” Espina said.

Should Cebu City decide to create the OSM and adopt the PGS or QMS, Espina suggests prioritizing five strategic areas: housing, flooding, digitalization, health, and pedestrianization.

Atty. Diño also recommended adopting a QMS during forward planning, following a year-end assessment to determine the most necessary systems.

“It’s merely recommendatory (for IASO). We don’t get involved in developing systems, but we can recommend and pinpoint what types of systems can be considered,” Diño said. — /LPM (FREEMAN)