TACLOBAN CITY, July 24 --The Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) is stepping up its awareness drive on
federalism, bringing the campaign down to villages in Eastern Visayas.
In this city, the DILG regional office had its
first community level Federalism forum participated in by 14 villages in San
Jose and Marasbaras districts over the weekend. It will be followed with forums
in other parts of the city.
Last week, the regional office organized a forum in
Maasin City, Southern Leyte attended by city officials, village chiefs and
council members, and the public.
The department also directed its provincial, city
and municipal offices to carry out a massive information drive.
DILG regional legal officer Cyril Casey Blanco said
on Monday the main purpose of the awareness drive is to educate, inform, and
make the people understand the concept of federalism.
The new round of federalism advocacy is anchored on
the theme “Federalism: Balancing the Distribution of Government Powers.”
“We are having this informed session to prepare our
people for the coming plebiscite, to help them decide if they agree or not to
the proposed system,” Blanco said.
San Jose district village council member Alfredo
Quijano said the proposed system will be an effective way to help improve the
country’s economy, peace and order, and other aspects.
The DILG targets to end the conduct of forums in
all towns in Eastern Visayas regional within this year.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been advocating for
federalism to ensure more equal distribution of resources to provinces.
Under the federal system, LGUs can pursue potential
investors without seeking approval or permission from the national government.
LGUs will also have complete power over the creation and implementation of
projects and programs.(Alecxis L. Panganiban & Angelica N. Royo, OJTs/PNA)
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