“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” — Helen Keller, American social activist, public speaker and author (1880-1968)
“The best index to a person’s character is: (a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can’t fight back.” — Abigail van Buren (Pauline E. Friedman), “Ask Abby” columnist (1918-2002)
What is a Character City?
The International Association of Character Cities (http://www.charactercities.org) defines a character city as having unified neighborhoods, safe streets, strong families and solid businesses.
It is a place where:
- Citizens care for one another, fostering a community culture of good character.
- Government effectively models service and good character to the community.
- Students understand and practice attentiveness, orderliness, and self-control.
- Homes and streets are safe because law enforcement is earning citizen respect and developing positive community relationships.
- Businesses succeed honorably.
- Families are healthy, harmonious, and united.
- Faith-based organizations effectively support and encourage good character.
- Media regularly features positive news about citizens of good character.
How the program started in Iriga
[Image: Unveiling the official logo of the Iriga Character City Program - image broken in archive]
Unveiling the official logo of the Iriga Character City Program
In the City of Iriga, the Character City Program started as the brainchild of Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen who wants a “Strong Foundation” for the city. Later on, the idea found strong and solid support from the Character City program of the International Association of Character Cities (IACC). The program is hinged on strengthening individual and societal character which is seen to make a city “a place where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, business is productive, neighbors care for one another; and citizens are free to make wise choices for their lives and families.” In a word, the program is a character-based approach in good governance.
The program began with Mayor Gazmen’s creation of a core committee by virtue of Executive Order 2006-09, composed of Nestor Awa as chairman and Frank Peñones Jr. as co-chairman with Dr. Nenette Beriña, Engr. Nona M. Santiago, Helen M. Calleja, Edwin Albino, Sharon Borromeo and Teresita Praxides as members. The committee was tasked to lay the initial groundwork for the program.
To familiarize themselves with the intricacies of the program, the committee first went on a study-tour in Tagaytay, the first adherent of the program in the Philippines, where they observed first hand the implementation of the program. They had also facilitated a series of workshops on Temperament and Teambuilding which was conducted by a private training group led by Mr. Gilmer Atian and the Total Quality Management (TQM) seminar for department heads, heads of the various offices and eventually all employees of the city bureaucracy.
The 12 core values
The Character Enhancement and Leadership Advancement Committee (CELACom) also picked 12 values which they believe Irigueños intrinsically possess but have somewhat forgotten to express or carry out in their every day lives.
- Cleanliness — Kalinigan
- Generosity / Kindness — Kabootan
- Patience / Tolerance — Pagkamapagpaunod
- Persistence / Decisiveness — Pagkasugsog
- Justness / Truthfulness — Pagigin Matanos
- Respectfulness — Pagkamagalang
- Industriousness — Pagkamaorot
- Humility — Kapakumbabaan
- Dependability / Initiative — Pagkamasasarigan
- Resourcefulness — Pagkaadimuwanon
- Thriftiness — Pagkauyamot
- Compassion — Pagkamapagmakulog
Putting character into practice
Presently, all business permit and tricycle operator permit applicants are required to undergo a character building seminar before the issuance of the permit.
Officials from the 36 barangays of the city also underwent a seminar specifically designed for local barangay officials. Dubbed the “Life Enhancing and Nurturing Seminar” or LENS, participants reported it to be a truly life changing experience.
With the positive effect of this program clearly visible to the public, the Iriga City Water District (ICWD) management had requested the Iriga City LGU to help them conduct the same workshop with their employees. With the LGU shouldering half of the expenses, the ICWD rank and file went through the workshop in July 2007.
Acknowledging the importance of the media in bringing about the required changes in the people's attitude to ensure the success of this program, Mayor Madel had arranged for the local media practitioners to undergo similar training in August 2007.
[Image: Participants of the Character Seminar - image broken in archive]
Participants of the Character Seminar gives each other a hug after their moving experience
Program legal basis
Why character matters
“There are a lot of reasons to have a character program. Building relationships I think is the greatest reason. I think building a great community that exceeds people's expectations for honesty and integrity, is certainly a significant reason. But I will say that as a manager of a 50 million dollar business that has several hundred employees that there are some practical reasons for implementing a character program within your organization whether it's a public or private business.” — Rodney Ray, City Manager of Owasso, Oklahoma