Mayors call for concerted action on people’s initiative

City mayors nationwide called yesterday for concerted action to launch a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution and shift from the presidential to a parliamentary system of government.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) president, said the country’s 117 city mayors with an estimated combined constituency of 34 million people are supporting the people’s movement for Charter change.

"Our league is behind the adoption of the parliamentary system that will institutionalize fiscal and local autonomy so that strong local governments can grow and develop on their own and be self reliant," he said.

Speaking before the LCP’s two-day 49th general assembly in Iloilo City recently, Trenas said the LCP is behind the idea to synchronize elections to avoid the wanton dispensation of taxpayers’ money.

"We are one in advocating the synchronization of elections so that the money the government saves could be earmarked for strategic socio-economic infrastructure that will benefit the LGUs, especially those in the countryside," he said.

On the other hand, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, LCP chairman, said the actions of some quarters resisting Charter change have brought negative results to the country, which is economically lagging behind its Asian neighbors.

Hagedorn said the amendment of the Constitution would ultimately benefit the people and the entire nation.

"Why prolong the process when the people are already crying for change?" he asked.

Hagedorn said that "undue dilly-dallying" among the nation’s leaders was not helping the nation.

"Let’s not wait for another EDSA to amend the Charter," he said.

"Let’s go for the parliamentary (and) at the same time, support the synchronization of the election calendar to lessen political divisiveness, animosity and confrontation."

Meanwhile, Trenas said the LCP’s strong resolve to pursue a people’s initiative had combined with the mayors’ strong conviction to air the people’s clamor for Charter change.

"We are steadfastly front-lining for our people to articulate their prayers, hopes and desires for genuine, substantial change to convince those who stand in the way of constitutional reformation to re-think their position and institute the corresponding positive action," he said.