Accountability in Governance

Accountability ensures actions and decisions taken by public officials are subject to oversight so as to
guarantee that government initiatives meet their stated objectives and respond to the needs of the
community they are meant to be benefiting, thereby contributing to better governance and poverty
reduction.

Why is Accountability Important to Governance?

Evaluating the ongoing effectiveness of public officials or public bodies ensures that they are performing
to their full potential, providing value for money in the provision of public services, instilling confidence
in the government and being responsive to the community they are meant to be serving.

Participation?

Participation is often related to accountability and, in representative democracies where citizens

participate in government through the electoral process, public officials are accountable ultimately to the
electorate. At the grass roots level, participation implies that government structures are flexible enough to
offer beneficiaries, and others affected, the opportunity to improve the design and implementation of
public programs and projects. At a different level, the effectiveness of policies and institutions impinging
on the State as a whole may require the broad support and co-operation of the major stakeholders.

Participation by both men and women, either directly or through legitimate representatives, is a key
cornerstone of good governance. Participation needs to be informed and organized, including freedom of
expression and assiduous concern for the best interests of the organization and society in general.

“Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Act” seeks to amend the “Juvenile Justice
and Welfare Act of 2006” or Republic Act 9344, which set the minimum
age for criminal liability at 15 years old.
Consensus-Oriented Decision Making
Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making is the first book to offer groups (and group facilitators) a
clear and efficient path to generating widespread agreement while fostering full participation and
true collaboration.

JJWC has been considered to be a consensus-oriented agency by having:

1. Consultation to garner the best interest out of different stakeholder’s pool of interests
2. Powerful communication skills
3. Effective conflict resolution techniques
4. General agreement
5. Majority and the best decision wins
6. Making decisions collaboratively