Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – In order to build an informed citizenry, the government will start an information dissemination drive on federalism, the Palace confirmed Thursday.
In a press briefing held here at the Ipil Municipal Hall, July 26, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said there is a need for a massive information drive regarding federalism since majority of Filipinos are yet to grasp this idea.
“(T)he survey so far confirmed that there’s a need for dissemination in so far as it shows that overwhelming majority still do not know anything about federalism,” Secretary Roque said.
Secretary Roque likewise mentioned that the members of the Consultative Committee (ConComm) had already met two days ago and adapted the strategy to begin the dissemination from the level of the barangay.
“We will bring down our dissemination level to the level of the barangay. We will focus on training the trainers,” Roque said, citing that the government will utilize mass media for this drive.
“So we have accepted the challenge and we will embark on this massive dissemination drive,” Roque added.
According to the Palace official, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will primarily lead the information dissemination, adding that it will receive P10 million budget for such purpose, including production of needed materials.
Sec. Roque, meanwhile, reiterated that the Palace had no hand in the recent Congress’ decision to elect Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the new House Speaker.
“The choice of Speaker was made by the members of the House alone,” Roque said. “And I challenge any Congressman to publicly say that the President called them to vote for a particular candidate because the President did not do that. The President did not interfere.”
The President’s spokesperson, on the other hand, praised the first female Speaker’s credentials.
“We have always believed that she is a capable leader,” Roque said. “And we welcome the fact that Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo has said that her top most priority, like the President, is that of Charter Change.”
‘Palace says country is still on track in investment target’
Secretary Roque also said in the same press briefing that the Philippines is still on track to achieve its P680 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) target.
This follows the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s report that there is a 27.1% increase in investment projects this year in comparison to the same period last year.
“[T]his is attributed to the 165% growth in the foreign direct investments (FDIs) registered on the first half of the year with a total amount of P14.5 billion compared from last year’s P5.5 billion of the same period,” Roque stressed, citing a report by DTI’s Board of Investments. (PCO Content)
