Awareness seen as challenge for federalism push

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 13  -- Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go acknowledged that it is a long way to go to change the form of government as only a few people are fully aware of the benefits of Federalism.

Speaking to reporters late Saturday afternoon, Go said although Federalism was part of the campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte, most people still do not understand how the change works.

“That is why we need to explain it further for people to understand the benefits of Federalism to every region or state. This needs to be properly explained to raise public awareness,” Go said.

Several Cabinet members have shared their views on Federalism, with some expressing concern.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has said Federalism is “confusing” and therefore needs more education and information dissemination.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and National Economic and Development Authority chief Ernesto Pernia both described the shift to Federalism shift as a “fiscal nightmare.” Dominguez maintained that the draft Federal Constitution contains ambiguous provisions on the allocation of expenditures for would-be federated government and its federated regions, hence the need for more discussions.

“They are entitled to their own opinion. We have different opinions and we have to respect them. On my part, I am pushing for Federalism, that is why we need to make people understand,” Go said.

“This will pass through rough sailing in the Senate, maybe in the next Congress but we still have time to raise consciousness and awareness of what Federalism is,” the President’s most trusted aide said,

“It is now in the hands of Congress if they will discuss Federalism in their session,” he added.

Senator Cynthia Villar said senators are not too keen on talking about Federalism as election season approaches.

“Charter change is a difficult topic, I am not confident we can finish it on time,” Villar said.

Both officials were in this city Saturday to grace the 177th Samar Day.

Federalism is a system of government under which significant government powers are shared between the federal and the regional governments.

Duterte has been pushing for a shift from the unitary presidential to a federal form of government to establish powerful economic regions, provide more funding support for regions, solve the conflict in Mindanao, and decentralize powers to local governments, among others.

Under the national government’s original timetable, constitutional revisions will be done within 2018, ratify federal regions by June 2020, transition from unitary to federal government by 2022, and establish the Philippine Federal Republic by June 2022. (RTA//PNA)