CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
RALLY KICKS OFF IN NORMIN
In the pursuit of raising public awareness and secure substantial public support on the need to reform the present Constitution, a Constitutional Reform (CoRe) Provincial Roadshow for Misamis Oriental was held last October 31—the first in Mindanao.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 10, in coordination with Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform (CFCR) conducted said activity, dubbed as “Balangayan 2019”, intended for a meaningful convergence of different sectors to directly interact in a constructive dialogue about constitutional reform with government officials and other stakeholders.
With this, hundreds of Punong Barangays, along with the barangay-based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City attended said gathering.
DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe urged involved sectors to be partners of the government in advocating for the Constitutional Reform saying, “We need you in this advocacy, and to advocate for this would mean being enlightened as to what are the implications of these reforms.”
The reform pushes a unified message through its four pillars: (1) Pagyamin ang Probinsya, Paluwagin ang Metro Manila, (2) Gobyerno Para sa Tao, Hindi Para sa mga TraPo (Traditional Politicians), (3) Bukas na Ekonomiya na ang Lahat ay May Pag-asa, and (4) Bagong Konstitusyon Para sa Bagong Henerasyon.
Its priority concerns would include providing more opportunities for the provinces to develop, elect leaders who cares for their constituents, and further bring the government closer to the people.
“Our past constitutions were enacted out of rush due to revolutions. There were no public consultations or people participation. Right now, we are lucky because we now have the opportunity to participate,” said Atty. Vicente Homer B. Revil, Constitutional Reform Resource Speaker, during his discussion.
With the advocacy seeking to strengthen community participation by involving various sectors and providing equal opportunity for both national and local level, Atty. Revil moreover underscored that the constitutional reform will be able to reflect the current needs of the country.
CoRe Activities
Said provincial roadshow is just one of the activities in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to intensify public awareness and education about the federal system of government and its impacts.
Other series of activities conducted in Northern Mindanao from October 25-31 include speakers’ training for DILG field officers, academe representatives and local government units’ representatives who are targeted to effectively inform and educate the public about the merits of Federalism and constitutional reform.
With this, DILG 10 RD Agabe encouraged on only disseminating constitutional reform details as prescribed, focusing on the said four pillars of messages to prevent public misinformation.
Also, towards further conveying the merits of constitutional reform, DILG 10 also gathered various media personalities from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City for a media briefing.
Lastly, townhall meetings were also conducted, attended by provincial/municipal chief executives and SK Federation Presidents, CSOs, and the youth sector.
Involving the local government units and the youth sector, the activity recognizes their fundamental role in nation building, especially in generating their full support in reforming the present system.
“Help us ensure that there will be good governance in all parts of the Northern Mindanao and of the country by helping the government attain a more responsive form of government and at the same time, attain a more responsive constitution,” RD Agabe said.
The series of events takes its cue from the ‘Dagyaw’ Concept—serving as an avenue for the participants to delve into government’s efforts on uplifting the lives and welfare of the people by means of informing them about the various government projects that are in line for them.