by Elpidio Estioko
Most of the time, we citizens always demand or expect our government officials, both in federal and local governments, to be accountable for their actions.
We kept saying that they need to be answerable and/or responsible to the people by being prepared to defend/justify all their actions and always doing their best in serving the people.
This is a positive normative culture that all government officials need to understand and adopt.
However, we also need to understand that as citizens, we are also accountable and responsible for whatever we do in the community and in following government laws and norms for the good of society.
As I see it, it must be a two-way process wherein a joint role for government and the people is required to move forward towards full development.
Sometimes, we forget this. Most of the time, government officials also forget what this is all about.
Again, both must be aware of what we do and what our respective roles are in society for good governance and for a safer community.
As the national government and the local governments head into this year’s development planning and implementation, we need to be reminded of one word in mind: responsibility.
This is a strong reminder for both the government and the population to remember and put into effect!
We have a lot of things to ponder regarding this core value that applies both to those who run the government and to the people.
Locally, I share the sentiments of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who, as he and his local city council are headed into this year’s budget planning process, has one word in his mind: accountability.
In his Dear Neighbor letter to his constituents, he wrote:
“In two weeks, we’ll release our annual March Budget Message and accountability will be at its center. Accountability for City Hall to follow through on building shelter and moving people off our streets faster. Accountability for property owners to maintain their land and buildings. Accountability for nonprofit service providers to deliver results more efficiently. And yes, accountability for our homeless residents to be good neighbors and come indoors when offered shelter.”
The way I see it, accountability plays a balancing role in charting the city’s annual budget in relation to the various projects of the city in order to deliver more efficient results.
I see this, the dual role of government and its citizens, as a genuine gesture of positive governance and public service for society to succeed.
The city is focusing on doing more with less.
The mayor added: “You can see how we’re increasing focus, transparency and accountability at City Hall by taking a look at the beta version of our Focus Area Dashboards. You’ll see that we’re now focusing on fewer goals, setting clear metrics for performance, and beginning to move the needle in some areas. Now we need to accelerate our work and ensure that each new dollar we deploy has more impact than the last.”
The mayor reassures that he will be sharing more about where the city budget is heading in the next couple of weeks for some big announcements.
He urged those who are interested in joining him to advocate for accountability to sign up for more information about how to have a seat at the kitchen table for this year’s budget discussion.
This pragmatic approach that the city of San Jose is heading to can be replicated in any city nationwide, the way I see it!
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the Chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream, which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Xlibris Publishing. For feedback and comments, please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.
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