LOOKING FOR A LOCAL GOVERNANCE SCOREBOARD

LOOKING FOR A LOCAL GOVERNANCE SCOREBOARD

Does anyone know of a reliable, credible, dependable, and honest method of measuring the performance of Local Government Units (LGUs)?

There are plenty of evaluation methods out there, but which one truly gives us an accurate, unbiased picture? We need a tool that goes beyond political affiliations and personal interests—a scorecard that reflects actual governance performance rather than popularity, personal wealth, or political lineage.

The Problem with Existing Methods

To be fair, the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) is a step in the right direction. It sets performance benchmarks and provides a structured assessment of local governance. However, because it is government-funded and government-run, it is hard to ignore the conflict of interest it presents. Can we expect a self-assessed system to fairly critique itself?

LGPMS is also self-rated, which immediately raises red flags about its objectivity. The same would be true for any private or independent rating system that allows LGUs to assess themselves. Would a failing student ever give themselves an "F" on a self-graded test?

Politics: Dynasties vs. Performance

Many voters are tired of political dynasties, yet these families continue to dominate elections. But here’s a tough question: If a candidate from a political dynasty has a strong track record, should they be dismissed outright?

In some areas, dynasty politics is unavoidable. In these cases, wouldn't it be better if voters could at least compare scorecards between two competing families? That way, elections could focus on who governed better, rather than just being a battle of last names.

We always hear about the "politics of performance" as an alternative to patronage politics, but without a clear measurement tool, how can we make performance-based decisions? This is why a publicly accessible, unbiased scorecard is critical—especially when we must choose between two seemingly competent candidates.

The Role of Education and Social Media

It is often said that patronage politics thrives in poverty, where voters depend on politicians for personal favors. That may be true, but education and information can empower voters to break away from this system.

As more young people move away from their hometowns, gain education, and are exposed to independent sources of information through social media, they become less influenced by traditional “command votes.”

Right now, the politics of popularity outweighs the politics of performance. But this could change as voters become more educated and more active on digital platforms. Social media has made it easier to hold politicians accountable--exposing those who break promises and highlighting those who deliver, even without making grand campaign statements.

Could Technology Be the Game-Changer?

The tools for tracking LGU performance already exist. Platforms like Google Forms, Facebook Messenger, and free online survey tools can be used to collect citizen feedback. With enough participation and transparency, these tools could create a credible and accessible governance scorecard.

With a trusted performance rating system, perhaps one day, any qualified person could run for office—without needing wealth or a political dynasty behind them. A system where voters don’t just pick the most famous name on the ballot but instead judge candidates based on who delivers results.

Beyond Politicians: Can We Change the System?

Maybe the future is not about politicians convincing people to vote for them. Maybe, one day, the people will instead convince good individuals to run.

Could we pass laws allowing write-in candidates, giving voters the power to elect leaders outside the usual political circles? Wouldn’t it be amazing if elections were about competence rather than just name recall?

A governance scoreboard could reshape the way we elect leaders—shifting power back to the people and ensuring that performance, not patronage, is what matters most.

It’s time we demand a reliable, credible, dependable, and honest way to measure the effectiveness of our LGUs. Because in the end, the only way to fix our political system is to give voters the tools to make informed choices.

Would you vote differently if a transparent and unbiased governance scorecard existed? Let’s talk about it.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

03-02-2025