During the media forum Balitaan organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. at the Bale Balita here on Friday, assistant regional director Araceli A. San Jose reiterated Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno’s directive to intensify the educational campaign on federalism.
The secretary said educating the public on what federalism is all about is the key to get the consensus of the public on the proposed shift from the current democratic to federal form of government, San Jose said.
She repeated that it is not just the local government officials that are being educated on the planned move to federalism, but also the people on the ground.
At present there are four groups going around the country giving talks to schools, academe and even to civilians explaining what federalism is all about. So that if there will be a referendum, whether they accept it or not, they will understand what the federal system is, she said.
San Jose said Sueno is pleased with the support of the local chief executives on the proposed move to federalism.
More than 306 local leaders gathered recently in Pasay City for a day-long celebration to commemorate the 25-year journey of the Local Government Code, decentralization and devolution. “And now the DILG geared up towards federalism,” she said.
It was bruited out that one of the clear benefits the local government units (LGUs) can get from a federal state government is fiscal autonomy.
“They are really supportive of the federal system of government because of the bigger authority they will have as an autonomous unit. And their revenues will be bigger and will foster competition among the states just like the US that outdo each other to attract investors. Just like China, where the provinces continue to grow,” San Jose quoted Sueno as saying.
San Jose was accompanied by DILG legal offi cer Atty. Pilipinas Baclayen during the media forum.
