QUEZON CITY. Nov 23 (PIA) -- The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) have launched yesterday "Gov 101: A New Voter's Guide to the Philippine Government" at the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government.

"Gov 101" is a manual that outlines and explains how the Philippine government works. It aims to educate ordinary Filipinos in the roles and functions of government officials, agencies, and offices. Kaya Natin! and FNF believe that education on governance is crucial to political maturity and people participation and that knowing the basics of how the government works is the first step to making sure that educated and enlightened citizens are developed.

Harvey Keh, lead convener of KN, said he has often asked ordinary citizens if they know the roles of their government officials such as the vice president. "'Pag tinatanong ko ho sa kanila kung anong trabaho ng vice president, ang sinasagot nila 'yun ang papalit sa presidente 'pag namatay (Whenever I ask them if they are aware of the duties and responsibilities of the vice president, the answer I always get is that the vice president will be the one replacing the president in case he dies)," Keh said.

With the "Gov 101" booklet, Keh hopes to educate more Filipinos on how the government system really works. "By knowing what to expect from our leaders, we can choose the right leaders," Keh added.

FNF country director Friedrich Naumann, meanwhile, said that they are glad they have found KN to partner with in promoting freedom from corruption. "With KN, you really look at people who have made the utmost effort and sacrifices for the country," Naumann said.

The FNF official also said that he is proud to work here in the Philippines where people want change and have the desire to make their country better.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation is a non-profit organisation that promotes liberal democracy, economic freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights.

Also present in the launch was Senator TG Guingona, also a KN champion, who said that "Gov 101" is the first step in empowering the Filipino people. "When people are informed, puwede sila makilahok," (When people are informed, they can be involved,") he said.

Guingona also stressed that not is it only important for the government to be transparent but to also make its people capable of understanding the information that they are receiving.

Another KN champion and KN co-founder Eddie "Among Ed" Panlilio, also present in the launch, is hoping that "Gov 101" can be of help in raising the level of education in the country.

KN, aside from publishing and distributing the "Gov 101", is also planning to upload the contents of the booklet as an e-book to widen its availability. Contents of the book will also be distributed in tagalog by the Philippine Information Agency via Radyo ng Bayan to cater to the masses.

The group also hopes that the booklet will be a reminder of and will be able to continue the legacy of good governance that the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo, co-founder of KN, has left behind.

As a conclusion, the group rallied for the help of the media and all those who will get to read the booklet to share the contents to the public in anyway they can in the spirit of advancing good governance in the country. (PIA/RJB/JGR/PIA-NCR)

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2401353635500