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.