Moving Towards Decentralized and Democratic Governance

The Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution (C4CC) conducted a National Conference on Decentralization for Regional Development last July 17-18, 2012 at the Institute for Social Order, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.

This two-day activity brought together 60 leaders from the 17 provinces where the C4CC constituents are present. As part of the efforts to strengthen the regions towards future federal states, the conference aimed to (a) present the summary of the assessment of area-based development framework/models of various CSO networks such as PHILDHRRA’s sustainable integrated area development (SIAD), PBSP’s Focus Area Development/ Area Resource Management Framework and others (b) share lessons learned and recommendations from these existing models; and (c) develop a new or re-affirmed and enriched framework based on these lessons and recommendations.

 Aside from the active constitutional reform leaders nationwide, the conference was also attended by resource persons who shared their knowledge and expertise like Divina Luz Lopez, Executive Director of PhilDHRRA who talked about the Assessment of the Different Models of Area Based Development; Marcelina Bacani, NEDA Assistant Deputy Director who talked about Regional Development Planning; as well as Sixto Donato Macasaet, Executive Director of CODE-NGO, and Mr. Peter Dumaguing, Chief Agrarian Reform Office, Department of Agrarian Reform – Cordillera Administrative Region (DAR-CAR), who contributed to the discussions as Reactors.
 
In his opening remarks, Paul Richard Paraguya, a member of the C4CC Steering Committee, emphasized that “we really need charter change, (and that) the contents of the present Philippine Constitution must be updated”. He also added that a very centralized government creates political and economic difficulties and the (C4CC) conference would allow more discussions on the real issues of constitutional reform especially at the grass-roots level.

The concept of decentralization for regional development was highlighted during the conference. The C4CC implementing partners shared the challenges they encountered in popularizing the advocacy campaign to the masses. The lack of interest and support from the current administration further hinders the advancement of a genuine constitutional reform agenda. Due to complexities in the struggle for constitutional reform, new strategies were employed to attain a long term vision of adopting a federal system of governance in the country. The new strategic direction of the coalition is to strengthen participatory local and regional governance in preparation for full decentralization or future federalism.

In her talk, Divina Lopez emphasized that Sustainable Integrated Area Development Framework (SIAD) is suited to foster regional development through vertical and horizontal integration of concerns. The 1987 Constitution created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Cordillera Administrative Region but most of these regions’ powers are still under the bondage of the national government. Decentralization should remain the center of the regional agenda.

Peter Dumaguing of DAR-CAR suggested that there should only be one national agency dealing with the local government units to avoid confusion. He asserted the need to make communities empowered especially in identifying what is best for them.

Sixto Donato Macasaet of CODE-NGO further suggested that multi-sectoral development should be a CSO led initiative, it must be effectively linked to other stakeholders and that the regional agenda must be translated into specific programs and projects. This means that empowering CSOs in governance has high impact in program and project implementation. In the same way, CSOs should also maximize the openness of the present government for engagement and partnership.

Marcelina Bacani of NEDA shared the vision of the current administration relative to regional planning. She relayed that “despite all problems in all levels of governance, we (NEDA) remain optimistic”. This demonstrates the eagerness of the government to have demonstrative and responsive planning as a major strategy in all of its engagements.

Social and political cohesion should be the centerpiece of the struggle for genuine autonomy and decentralization for regional development and federalism. Institutional mechanisms and frameworks for participation and collaboration should be elevated and enhanced to create more sustainable impacts and crucial reforms. People should demand for equitable power sharing and make leaders in the institutions accountable.

Towards the closing of the conference, the group agreed to support the resolution filed by Rep. Cresente Paez of Coop NATCCO Party-list calling for federalism through constitutional convention; to voice out and reiterate the C4CC stand on the proposal of changing the economic provisions of the present Constitution; and to follow up President Noynoy Aquino on the proposed Executive Order (EO) to create a group or commission that will study the issue of constitution change; and resume the signature campaign for this EO. — By Joel Accion, Program Coordinator, Mindanao CODE