By Gabriela Baron
The Quezon City Government put up a people’s council to push for people participation in governance.
The People’s Council of Quezon City (PCQC), which serves as the umbrella arm of 2,232 city-accredited civil society organizations (CSO), will work with the local government of Quezon City to ensure that every program or policy is responsive to the needs of the citizens.
“Ang tunay na malinis at tapat na pamahalaan ay kapag kasangga ang mga mamamayan sa pamamahala.” — Mayor Joy Belmonte
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/xlbFoIyfhr
— Mayor Joy Belmonte (@QCMayorJoy) May 30, 2022
“Ang People’s Council ang magsisilbing mata, tenga, at boses ng mga mamamayan sa ating pamahalaang lungsod. Malaki ang maitutulong ng kanilang kasanayan sa pagbuo ng mga programang dapat at nararapat para sa mga residente,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Belmonte also signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Participation, Accountability, and Transparency Ordinance, strengthening and institutionalizing the system of partnership of the local government and its constituents.
Under the IRR of the ordinance, the PCQC can sit in the city’s local special bodies through their elected representatives whose expertise is in line with the bodies’ target sector.
PCQC members include representatives from sectors of women, persons with disabilities, urban poor, solo parents, health, youth, senior citizens, urban protection, academe, religious, as well as from the members of the lesbian, gays, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+), among others.
“Ang tunay na malinis at tapat na pamahalaan ay kapag kasangga ang mga mamamayan sa pamamahala,” Belmonte said.
“Ngayong mayroon nang PCQC na makakatuwang ng pamahalaang lungsod, makaaasa ang mga QCitizen na ang bawat piso at sentimong nanggagaling sa kanilang buwis ay mapupunta sa mga programang makabuluhan at makatutulong para maitaas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng bawat residente,” she continued.
The local government also plans to add Muslim or Bangsamoro, sports, and media in the represented sectors. – ag
