(Eagle News) – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo Año has asked barangay executives to support the government’s campaign to adopt a federal form of government.
In his speech before barangay captains and representatives during the second day of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) 2018 National Congress at the Manila Hotel in Manila, on Wednesday, February 28, Año said he expects the barangay leaders to help in intensifying the information campaign about the importance and benefits of federalism.
“Hangad namin sa DILG na magtulungan po tayong lubos na maunawaan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino kung ano ang pakinabang ng ating mga kababayan kung tayo ay may federal form of government,” he said.
He told the local officials that under a federal system, significant governing authority, bigger funds, and programs are devolved from the national government to the regional and local government units.
“Mas malawak ang kapangyarihan, mas malaki ang pondo ng mga rehiyon at lokal na pamahalaan. Isipin ninyo 80% ng revenue ay pupunta sa mga rehiyon, 20% lang ang pupunta sa national government,” he said.
He said this would be beneficial to local governments and would ensure faster and more efficient implementation of programs and projects as these would no longer need approval from the national government.
“Ibig sabihin non, kayo na mismo ang makikinabang sa mga revenue at budget ng federal region or state ng ating federal government. Kaya nga mas magiging madali rin ang proseso sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at proyekto dahil hindi na nangangailangan ng pag-aproba ng national government,” he added.
The DILG chief also said he expects that barangay officials will help and cooperate with the agency’s Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform headed by Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya in promoting federalism campaign.
“Umaasa po tayo with the recent establishment of the DILG Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform Project Management Office…the DILG will be able to intensify the federalism campaign, as well as work more closely with local government leagues like your esteemed organization, the Liga ng mga Barangay,” he said.
He added that the DILG will be issuing a memo circular regarding the Barangay Assembly that will be held on March 31, 2018 across the country, where he expects the local executives to promote federalism to their constituents through proper information campaign.
“Inaasahan po naming katuwang namin kayo sa pagpapalaganap ng tamang impormasyon tungkol sa federalismo at iba pang mga bagay sa inyong nalalapit na pagdaraos ng Barangay Assembly sa inyu-inyong barangay,” he said.
On February 26, the Consultative Committee tasked to review the 1987 Philippine Constitution led by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno has decided to adopt a federal-presidential system of government after majority of the Con-Com members voted in its favor over a “hybrid” semi-presidential system.