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In line with its commitment of sustainable and pro-active community stewardship, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) recently paved the way for a one-and-a-half day workshop on Effective Leadership and Good Governance among local leaders of Barangay Canlubang, Laguna, where much of NUVALI, ALI’s 1,700-hectare, flagship project for sustainable development, is located.
The workshop is one of a series of programmed activities slated in the coming months as part of NUVALI’s “Alay sa Komunidad” initiative, which consolidates under one program ALI’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in the area, consisting of medical missions, employment and livelihood programs, outreaches, and environmental education, among others.
The workshop was organized with the help of Canlubang Barangay Captain Eric Manaig and Barangay Treasurer Joven Licuanan, and was attended by several barangay kagawads and officials as well as 21 Sitio chairmen.
ALI Vice President and NUVALI General Manager Jun Bisnar addressed the participants and reiterated the company’s and the Barangay’s shared goals of economic and environmental development. He spoke of ALI’s commitment to drive forward systematic and effective governance in order to achieve the said goal. He pointed out the value of good governance as a solid base whereby opportunities are seeded, grown and finally distributed to more people.
Bisnar also cited opportunities for livelihood for the residents of Barangay Canlubang, which can only be brought to fruition through an effective partnership between the company and the local government. Charcoal-making, bamboo propagation, and Malunggay production are among the many livelihood programs being set up for the Canlubang communities.
Jan Bengzon, ALI’s head of External Affairs, expressed his appreciation for the encouraging support of the Barangay for such an activity which basically “aligns Ayala Land’s goals with the Barangay’s goals for a common understanding that should benefit the people and communities we both serve.”
To maintain the highest level of knowledge and skills enhancement throughout the workshop, ALI partnered with The Ateneo School of Government for the conduct of the training. The sessions were facilitated by Ateneo’s Associate Dean Dennis Gonzales, with such discussion topics as Situational Analysis and Development Perspectives, Local Governance and The Philippine Local Government code, and Strategic Thinking and Planning towards Operational Efficiency and Accountability, among others.
On the second day of the workshop, Tony La Viña, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, shared his inspiring views and principles on effective leadership. He said that to realize reform at the national level, it is important that competent and responsible base leaders who deliver the most basic of services to the communities are developed, adding that “…everyone is a leader and a change-maker.”
Barangay Canlubang is the largest Barangay in Calamba, Laguna. It is subdivided into 21 sitios whose heads were the primary participants of the workshop. ALI organized the activity in order to further enhance the management skills of local government leaders and provide communities with a governing body that works efficiently and effectively. Through this training program, ALI was able to provide the Barangay with a learning opportunity that equipped its leaders with skills in development planning, resource mobilization and performance management.
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