A Case Study on the Best Practices of the City of Dasmariñas

The City of Dasmariñas started out as a barrio of Imus and eventually turned into an independent
municipality in 1867. It was converted to a component city through House Bill no. 5258 filed by then
Congressman Elipidio Barzaga, Jr. and was finally signed as Republic Act 9723 last October 2009 after
several attempts and then ratified by the registered voters of Dasmariñas through a plebiscite conducted
last November 2009 which converted the municipality into a component city known as the City of
Dasmariñas.
The City of Dasmariñas has a population of 770, 938. is about 90.1 square kilometers or 9010
hectares, located at 12 kilometers from Metro Manila or the National Capital Region and 27 kilometers
south of the center of the City of Manila. The City celebrates an annual Paru-Paro Festival every 26th of
November dedicated to its cityhood which was compared to the metamorphosis of a butterfly.
In this study, the researchers aimed to delve deeper information and understanding about the
following:

 History and Background of the City of Dasmariñas

 The best practices of the City of Dasmariñas regarding the following: 1) Participatory
Governance, 2) NGO-LGU Collaboration, 3) Alternative Revenue Mechanism, 4) Disaster
Preparedness, 5) Local Accountability, and 6) Sustainable Development
 Areas to be improved by the Local Government Unit
For the participatory governance, the City Government of Dasmariñas sees to it that every citizen
will be heard. Through the representation of their barangay officials, their concerns are being raised and
so the LGU responds to it. Moreover, the presence of technology is also of contribution to a better
participatory governance. They are utilizing the social media platform to reach out more people, to
engage in different activities, and for a more convenient way to bring up their sentiments, as well as for
the part of the LGU.
For the NGO-LGU Collaboration, the city has its own way to have a connection through the help
of different sectors in funding, integration of programs, man power and the like. The city shows how they
are accommodating and amenable to ask for help of other concerned groups to provide for a more
efficient program for the citizens.
For the Alternative Revenue Mechanism, the city can be innovative and efficient in creating other
sources of fund for the benefit and satisfaction of its citizens. Considering its development and its various
projects like the lighted center islands, pedestrian footbridge with elevator, closed-circuit television
cameras, public library, sports complex, and many more, the sources of other revenue are deemed
effective and are really being utilized in the LGU, for the welfare of the people.
For the Disaster Preparedness, the city initiates a risk reduction plan even if it is not usually being
affected by the calamities considering its location. The LGU make sure that there is a plan whenever a
fortuitous event occurs. Aside from the offices that manage the plans, there are also additional reminders
to the people through social media and through providing some hotlines which could be helpful. Also, the
covered courts for every barangay are not just designed to be a place of entertainment but also an
evacuation centers in case there is a need to.
As for the Local Accountability and Sustainable Development, the city government of
Dasmariñas takes a lot of consideration in implementing and monitoring each activity that will benefit the
citizens residing in the city while making sure that all activities are being done in an eco-friendly way and
sustainable.
In general, it is very evident that the City of Dasmariñas, though may still have lapses in
governing the people, has clearly set such mechanisms in order to provide and satisfy the basic needs of
its people.