Your voice can now be heard

I’m honored to be the spokesperson for Tingog 2015, a program that aims to improve government services in local development planning by providing a platform for citizens to send direct and immediate feedback to their respective local government officials.

We launched it in Tabaco City, Albay last Oct. 17. It was a day marked with a renewed sense of commitment in helping improve the lives of people.

Aptly dubbed Tingog, the project emphasizes the value of the citizen’s input in improving their community. Tingog is a Bicolano term meaning voice. By listening to the concerned constituents themselves, any project would be more efficient in addressing the needs of the people. It also improves community relationships because it emphasizes the value of open communication channels.

Tingog is a Citizen Monitoring and Tracking (CMT) system that aims to ensure delivery of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) services at the grassroots by allowing citizens to report on and monitor such services through the use of short messaging system (SMS). The project will be implemented in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the country’s three leading telecommunication companies: Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular.

Citizens could text their reports, complaints or any feedback to a four-digit access code, 2015, using any mobile phone or carrier.

By text messaging, the project makes it easy for people to be active in community affairs. It encourages involvement among the people and government. This initiative has potential and I hope that it is sustained by public support. We are finally given the chance to say something, to be heard, and more importantly, to be listened to. We should take advantage of this privilege.

With (from left) Dr. Herbert Brojas, board member of Albay; Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, country representative of WHO; Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro, Jessica Cantos, co-convenor of Social Watch Philippines; and Dulce Marie Saret, National Millennium Development Goals Campaign and Advocacy specialist

Mothers and children joined our Solidarity Walk and interacting with them was such a fulfilling experience. Their enthusiasm for life was infectious and their willingness to work with their governments was very encouraging.

It was refreshing to see the cooperative spirit between the citizens and their government officials. Hopefully, this commences a relationship that overlooks political animosities and instead champions the value of the quality of life we can provide our people.

Attended by DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and World Health Organization Country Rep. Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, the launch was a big event indeed. It was a fitting start to a project that aims to have an even bigger impact on others’ lives.

It is my fervent prayer that the initial public interest would translate to consistent involvement. Let us all support and be a part of this worthwhile endeavor. ?