The national government under the current administration has continued to extend the arms of governance and public discussion down to the barangay level and in far-flung areas.
Among the current measures on participatory governance is the conduct of “Dagyaw ” or open government town hall meetings which allows citizens to join discussions on policies.
“Sa kabila ng pandemya, ipinagpatuloy ng ating Cluster ang mga webinars at online consultation na nakatuon sa adhikaing ito. Nakasama natin dito ang may 212,226 na mamamayan upang talakayin ang mga iba’t ibang suliranin at usaping nakakaapekto sa bansa,” Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Eduardo Aῆo said.
Joint efforts
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in people’s livelihood, Barangay San Nicolas in Arayat, Pampanga organized a community pantry to prioritize those bereft of supplies.
Michaela Venzon, a barangay health worker, said they are surprised how the locals contribute bags of vegetable supplies to the pantry.
“[Top] priority po mga poorest of the poor, indigent people dahil sila po ‘yung nangangailangan talaga ng community pantry ng ganitong programa,” Venzon said, while highlighting the willingness of the local to cooperate.
“Kung sino pa ‘yung mga ordinaryong tao, sila pa ‘yung willing mag-donate sa aming community pantry para ipamahagi nila sa aming kabario,” she said.
Prof. Edna Co, former dean of University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration And Governance (UP-NCPAG), said a healthy relationship between leaders and the public drives effective project implementation.
“’Pag mayroong participatory governance, gumagaan ‘yung kanyang pamamahala kasi may katuwang ka eh. May nag-aambag eh. Kumbaga, may sariling sikap ‘yung mamamayan,” Co said.
San Nicolas Brgy. Capt. Andres de Ala said their residents also freely participate during road construction activities, where they offer to carry materials and hand food to construction workers.
De Ala said residents are willing to participate in the projects since they are included in monthly general assemblies to discuss their needs.
“Tinatanong din namin sa kanila kung paano ‘yung consultation doon sa lugar nila, kung ano ang pangangailangan nila. ‘Yun ‘yung tinutugunan namin base sa priority na pangangailangan,” he said.
“Nakikita ng kabaranggay namin ‘yung pang-nasyunal na activities ay naibababa po namin sa level ng barangay, nakikita natin ang coordination ng ating constituents,” Brgy. Secretary Jeffrey Borja said.
Transparency
Aside from consultation, the public were also given access on the utilization of their local government funds.
“Sa katunayan, dahil sa ating mga open budget reforms, nakuha natin ang top spot bilang most financially transparent sa buong Southeast Asia,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado said.
“Ang 2019 Open budget Index score natin ay tumaas din ng siyam na puntos mula 67 noong 2017 na naging 76 noong 2019. Ito rin ay mataas sa ating 2019 target score na 67,” Avisado added.
Due to the delay in the passage of Freedom of Information (FOI) Law that will grant public access to select government documents, Duterte issued Executive Order No. 02, or the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program, on July 23, 2016.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Kris Ablan said the directive has elevated the status of citizen participation and empowerment.
“Mag-log on lang sa ating website at pwede na siyang magtanong sa higit kumulang 520 na government agencies. Kasama na diyan ang lahat ng mga departamento, pati na rin ang mga attached agencies at bureaus nito,” Ablan said.
“I think it’s a credit that the administration opened up the declaration of transparency, accountability at the executive level. But that work needs to be finished and continued,” Prof. Edna Co said. (PTV)/AG-rir
