Participatory governance, western-style

LOOK west.

Four local government units on this side of Pangasinan – Alaminos City and the municipalities of Bani, Burgos and Dasol – are leading the way in true participatory governance with help from development organization La Liga Policy Institute under the Empowerment of the Poor Program of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (EPP-NAPC). Here, community representatives and local officials have started working together to monitor whether the people’s money is being spent appropriately in line with the implementation of projects listed in the 2012 Annual Investment Plans (AIPs).

The process involves six stages: 1. consensus-building among citizen leaders and LGU officials per town on the selection of project/s with AIP budget line item; 2. the visits and familiarization with concerned LGU offices and project sites; 3. citizen leaders’ review and analysis of related documents; 4. joint session with LGU officials for reflection and feedback; 5. Budget monitoring report preparation; and 6. citizens’ assembly for all project areas to present results and outcome.

This is something that the provincial government under Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. can duplicate and promote among all LGUs. With the steps clearly defined, it should not end up as an occasion for mere lip service as in the case of Dagupan City where the members of the local development council were simply shown a summary of budgets with no details, and the members were asked to vote unanimously without studying the AIP.

La Liga underscores that the initiative is inspired by the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo who espoused people empowerment through sharing of public responsibilities.

In the recent untimely death of Robredo, LGU officials around the country, including in Pangasinan, hailed his accomplishments and brand of public service. Pursuing his dream of grassroots participation would be the one true honor they can give in Robredo’s memory.

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Give and take

WHO are they trying to fool?

Mar Roxas was named DILG secretary precisely to utilize this most powerful line department in launching Mar’s presidential bid in 2016.  That simple.

It was obvious from the very start.  Roxas was already DOTC secretary and yet, PNoy still sent his buddy to DILG, which covers the vote-rich local government units, not to mention Mar having the entire national police force at his disposal. We would even go a bit bolder as to say Roxas had asked for it.  And PNoy just couldn’t say no. Didn’t PNoy get the 2010 presidential nomination on a silver platter — after Roxas had given way to Tita Cory’s son?  Give and take, you know.  That’s Philippine politics for you.

We were not born yesterday.

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