Candidates Unite for Reform in Governance

May 19, 2013

CODE-NGO

Candidates Unite for Reform in Governance   

(Sta. Cruz, Laguna,  May 6, 2013)  Twenty-two  local candidates running for electoral  posts  participated  in  the  Bata  Muna  Campaign and Candidates  Forum  held  Sunday,  May 5, 2013  at the Pavilion of  Asia Blooms Hotel in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.   After  a brief  discussion of  the  Youth  and Children’s  Agenda   and results of  the   Civil Society Report Card  (CSRC),  sectoral issues from Children and Youth, Women, the   Informal and   Livelihood Sector, Farmers, Senior Citizens, Fisherfolks, Transport,  Persons with Disabilities, and  Day Care & BNS were also presented.  

Key issues resulting   from the CSRC   include   maintaining and  improving  peace and order, curbing  the spread of illegal activities such as illegal gambling and the sale and widespread use of illegal drugs and the implementation of a system of disaster prevention,  relief and rehabilitation, including among others a system of flood control, a good drainage system and early warning systems.   Incumbent candidates running for re-election  reacted by  mentioning  programs and projects undertaken  during their term   while  others  assured  CSO leaders  that  the concerns presented will be prioritized  should they be  elected to office.   The  forum  commenced  with  a  solemn  commitment signing with all those  in attendance  participating.
 
“We had to hurdle a lot of challenges   in organizing this  event,  I  never  expected this  forum will finally come through and with much success”  said  Anthony  Rebenque,   a    representative  of   Persons with Disabilities.

Aimed   at strengthening  the participation of  civil society organizations in local governance and accountable leadership,  this is  the  third  CSO-initiated Candidate’s  Forum held  in the Province of  Laguna this  year . The  CSRC is a simple but powerful tool to provide  the local government   with a systematic  assessment by collecting feedback on the quality and adequacy of  basic service delivery. Providing a proactive agenda for   civil society organization   and   local governments to engage in a dialogue, the   CSRC is a joint initiative  of  Open Heart Foundation Worldwide Inc and  the Coalition of   Development NGO Networks in cooperation with  Civil Society Organizations in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.  It is supported by National Endowment for Democracy through the   Sustaining   Engagement in Participatory Local Governance Project. – Gertrudes Bartulaba, Media Officer, Sustained Participatory Local Governance Project.

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