The government has expressed support to several private local groups’ projects that advocate peaceful and safe communities in a bid to strengthen participatory governance among the people.
In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 24 which reorganized cabinet clusters and established a Participatory Governance cluster that allows public role in the consultation and implementation of projects and policies.
Prof. Edna Co, former dean of University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), said a move calling for the formation of a cluster and roadmap is already a big contribution in public administration.
“That’s good. Pero may isang aspeto pa ng public administration… Paano mo ito ipapatupad? Paano ito gugulong?… From time to time, dapat ina-assess kung nasan tayo,” Co said.
Eduardo Aῆo, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary, said they will give attention on measures to strengthen coordination in the local level.
“Kaakibat ng karagdagang resources ng LGUs [local government units] ang hamon ng mas malaking pananagutan at responsibilidad upang makapag-lingkod at makapaghatid-serbisyo sa ating kababayan,” Aῆo said.
Aside from the government’s move to enjoin the public in the implementation of its projects or the other way around, a bill is currently filed at the Congress to include civil society organizations in national budget deliberations.
“Naniniwala ako na kapag involved ang ating mga civil society groups, mas magiging responsive, transparent at inclusive ang ating budget sa pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino,” Rep. Florida Robes, House Committee on People’s Participation chairperson, said.
“Kailangan dumaan sa accreditation ang mga civil society organizations upang makasali sila sa pagbibigay ng proposal at suggestion sa annual budget ng mga ahensya na gusto nilang salihan,” Robes added.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado said they support the bill, and urged non-government sectors to join local development councils at regional development councils in discussing local budget priorities at regional priority plans.
People’s move
In 2014, Fr. Arnold Abelardo established the “Ako ang Saklay” in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija to support the community. The center then developed into a community-based rehabilitation center when the country’s drug problem became widespread.
“Ibinukas namin ang Ako ang Saklay bilang isang santuwaryo, bilang isang center for healing. At ‘yun ay aming ginawa sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa community participation or participatory engagement,” Abelardo said.
The center utilizes humanitarian approaches in dealing with surrenders, particularly on spiritual counselling and moral recovery. This is supported by the Philippine National Police in Nueva Ecija.
“‘Pag mayroon isang CSO [civil society organization] na gaya ng Ako ang Saklay, mas gumagaan para sa isang LGU ‘yung trabaho… Makikita mo ‘yung harmony at partnership, mas nagiging makabuluhan at meaningful ang resulta,” Abelardo said.
DILG chief Aῆo said the government has mechanisms such as the Local Development Councils and Other Local Special Bodies to elevate citizen participation in planning and creating developmental programs of LGUs.
In Pasig City, waste recycling is being worked on by a local environmental group Planeta Cares and Barangay San Antonio. The program began during the pandemic to establish proper segregation and sustainable waste management.
The barangay conducts monthly trading of segregated waste to rice supply as a form of assistance.
An environmental advocate is also helping a community in Baseco regarding sustainable gardening, together with Blessed the Children Group. This is where the eco-bricks converted from San Antonio’s waste are also used. (PTV)/AG-rir
