MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is calling on Filipinos to participate in roadshows and consultations on the proposed changes to the Constitution towards a shift to a federal system of government.
Austere Panadero, DILG undersecretary for local government, said the public would hear all the proposed amendments during these roadshows directly from the consultative committee (Concom) and the DILG.
He added that the Concom is almost done with its proposed constitutional changes and that the public should be more engaged in the discussions as well as provide their inputs and comments to help craft the ideal federalism model for the country.
Panadero was one of the panelists during the two-day Conference on Managing Devolved Transition in the Philippines organized by the DILG and the Forum of Federations, the international organization of federal countries.
Also present were Concom officers led by former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Edmund Tayao, Roan Libarios and Randolph Parcasio; PDP-Laban Federalism Institute Fellow Gary Olivar; Forum of Federations senior director Philip Gonzales and Masbate Vice Governor Jo Kristine Revil.
DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said the federalism roadshow would begin on June 17 in Dumaguete City.
“Together with the Concom, we will be visiting all regions of the country to begin a national conversation on this important proposal of the government,” said Malaya, who is also the DILG spokesman.
Malaya explained that the DILG and Concom are working together to ensure that the public only gets one message from the government in the face of many groups and organizations advocating for federalism.